Issue 697 - The Mercury Bay Informer

Transcription

The
Mercury Bay
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Phone 07 866 2090
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67 158
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suppor copter Trust
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Pro escue Heli
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Richard Simpson’s two
lifetimes in 90 years
Circulation 6,500
Quarter final rugby
this Saturday,
please support the
Mercury Bay
Senior A team see page 35 for all
the details.
By Tony Stickley
It would take two lifetimes for most people to
cram in as much as long time Whitianga local
Richard Simpson has in his nine decades.
Richard celebrated his 90th birthday with
150 friends and family at Mercury Bay Club
last Saturday 9 July.
During his lifespan, Whitianga has grown
from a mere cluster of properties into a
thriving coastal settlement - and Richard
played a major part in that transformation.
Whether
as
a
builder,
fireman,
charter operator, Mercury Bay Community
Board representative or member of numerous
committees and societies, Richard can
undoubtedly claim to be one of the town’s
most prominent movers and shakers. “I have
filled up my life, I’ve made use of all the time
I’ve had,” he says. “I’ve probably travelled
to more than 100 countries around the world
and I have been involved in most activities
in Whitianga.”
One of Richard’s proudest boasts is that
he was a major force behind the founding
of the Whitianga marina. “One of the things
I am most proud of is the strong focus on
environmental concerns when the marina was
planned and developed,” says the Whitianga
Marina Society life member.
“It is one of the best marinas in the world,
or in New Zealand at least, and it’s right in
the middle of town. I would say it’s certainly
a source of pride for the town.”
Though it wasn’t always like that, Richard
recalls. Initially a 350 berth marina was
planned, but protest action from townsfolk
put an end to those plans. “We decided if
Long time Whitianga local Richard Simpson celebrated his 90th birthday with family
and friends at the Mercury Bay Club last Saturday.
we build a 100 berth marina just for locals,
we could probably head the opposition off.”
In the end a 183 berth marina was built.
“We still had a lot of opposition, but we
had a very good committee and the people
on it were very versatile,” Richard says.
“We overcame the opposition and even some
of the ones who were vigorously against
the marina put their boats in it as soon as it
was there.”
Richard describes himself as a jack of all
trades, “willing to have a go at anything.”
Another enormous source of satisfaction was
his 20 year stint as a builder in Whitianga.
“I probably built over 100 houses in
town with my company, Resco Builders,”
says Richard, who retired from the building
trade about 10 years ago.
“I was concerned about the people on
lower incomes and my aim was to build neat,
practical homes, rather than flashy, elaborate
houses. I believe my approach helped a lot of
people into homes who wouldn’t otherwise
have had the opportunity.”
In addition to his two terms as chairman
of the Mercury Bay Community Board,
Richard’s voluntary work extended to
the Whitianga Volunteer Fire Brigade,
where he put in 35 years, including seven
years as treasurer and four as chief fire officer
from 1981 - 1984.
As with the Marina Society, Richard is
also a life member of the fire brigade and
other organisations, including the Mercury
Bay Game Fishing Club - which he was
instrumental in forming back in 1947 when
(Continued on page 2)
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Richard Simpson’s two
lifetimes in 90 years
Finding a new home for six
car loads of quilting fabric
(Continued from page 1)
he was a mere 21 years old.
Richard is the last surviving member of the
Lyon Centennial Park Committee that turned
a muddy bog in Albert Street into the class
rugby field that is there today. “I also built the
changing sheds and toilets and put the grass
seed on the field,” he says.
Richard was also the owner-operator of the
Mitre 10 store that used to be in Whitianga,
in the Resco Building in Albert Street
(where businesses including Stephensons
Unichem Pharmacy, Feetstreat and Stirling
Sports are at present). He continued the
business until 1980.
As a charter boat operator for eight years,
Richard would take out fishermen primarily
targeting marlin and would often take part
in game fishing competitions in Tutukaka
north of Whangarei with other boats
from Whitianga.
He said he never liked taking out divers,
because as a non-diver he was always
“nervous they might not re-surface.”
Richard was one of the earliest members of
the Mercury Bay Aero Club. An accomplished
aviator, he put in close to 400 hours as a
private pilot. Flying was his passion which
has only been curtailed by age and uncertain
health. “You are just like a bird up there,”
he says.
He had hoped to go up in the plane built
two years ago by Mercury Bay Area School.
“I really wanted to go for a flight in that,
but my health is not good enough at the
moment,” Richard says.
Another passion was travelling around
the globe.
Richard’s journeys have taken him all over
Europe, Turkey, Africa, South America, the
Unites States, China - where he walked on the
Great Wall, Iceland and Greenland.
Despite being so well-travelled, he had
some regrets - but only about not seeing more.
“A country I really wanted to visit, but never
did, was Russia - just for my own personal
satisfaction,” he says. “I only managed to see
it from the Turkish border.”
It was during one of his travels in
Scandinavia that Richard met his second wife
Marlene, a US citizen, who died in 2010.
Richard and Pauline, his first wife, had
three daughters - Vanessa , Yvette and Kylie.
A son, Martin died in an accident.
Richard says his birthday celebration was
a chance to catch up with the many friends
he had made over the years. “I have been
fortunate with the friends I’ve made in my
lifetime. That’s a real privilege.”
Congratulations on nine exceptional
decades, Richard. Here’s to many more
enjoyable years to come.
Manaia resident Pine Harrison’s late wife, Cherry, was a keen part time quilter. “Cherry quilted
for more than 40 years,” says Pine. “She passed away four years ago. I’m considering selling our
property in Manaia and had to find a good home for the more than six carloads of quilting fabric
Cherry collected over the years.
Pine spoke to a member of the Mercury Bay Quilters, one of Whitianga’s longstanding quilting groups,
and the group decided to help him out. However, when they heard that Pine has a nine month old
grandson who was born with a heart defect and needs ongoing medical care, they had no doubt that
they had to try to sell the fabric to raise funds to help with Pine’s grandson’s medical costs.
“On Queen’s Birthday weekend we held a very successful garage sale,” says Shirley Beer, one of the
members of the Mercury Bay Quilters. “We made $1,000 that we could give to Pine. Last Saturday
we invited the members of the Scrapbags, the other quilting group in Whitianga, to come have a look
and see if they wanted to buy some of Cherry’s fabric that was left over. We collected another $150
for Pine.”
Shirley says the fabric that hasn’t sold on Saturday will be donated to charity.
The Mercury Bay Quilters also finished several quilts that were half completed when Cherry
passed away.
Pine is blown away by the generosity shown to him by the Mercury Bay Quilters. “Not only were
the ladies from the Mercury Bay Quilters happy to help me to find a new home for the fabric,
they collected some money for my grandson. I’m humbled by their kindness,” he says.
Pictured last Saturday with the completed quilts are, from left to right - Suzie Munroe, Isabel Lloyd,
Margaret Henry, Judy Connell, Pine Harrison, Shirley Beer and Enid Hogg. The ladies on the photo are
all members of the Mercury Bay Quilters.
High & Low Tides
for Mercury Bay and Hot Water Beach
DAY/
DATE
HIGH
AM
LOW
AM
HIGH
PM
LOW
PM
Wed 13
1:24
7:32
1:53
7:50
Thur 14
2:11
8:20
2:45
8:42
Fri 15
2:59
9:10
3:37
9:35
Sat 16
3:49
10:00
4:29
10:26
Sun 17
4:39
10:49
5:19
11:15
Mon 18
5:30
11:37
6:07
Tue 19
6:19
0:03
6:53
Tide data sponsored by
nzwindows.co.nz
12:23
4 Dakota Drive
Whitianga
Tel 07 869 5990
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The Mercury Bay Informer is published weekly on Wednesdays and distributed throughout the
Coromandel Peninsula.
Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are welcome. Publication of contributions are
entirely at the discretion of the editor. Contributions will only be considered for publication when
accompanied by the author’s name and surname, telephone number and residential address.
Opinions expressed (especially in letters) are not necessarily those of the owner or publisher.
Published by Mercury Bay Media Limited
Editor - Stephan Bosman
Contributors - Gillian O’Neill, Meghan Hawkes, Cheyenne Walmsley, Deli Connell, Jack Biddle,
Alison Smith and Tony Stickley
Advertiser Management - Petra Bosman and Bronwyn Burkhart
Office - 14 Monk Street, Whitianga 3510, Mail - PO Box 426, Whitianga 3542
Telephone - (07) 866 2090, Fax - (07) 866 2092
Editorial - email info@theinformer.co.nz, tel (07) 866 2090
Advertising - email sales@theinformer.co.nz, tel (07) 866 2094
ISSN 2422-9083 (Print), ISSN 2422-9091 (Online)
© 2016 Mercury Bay Media Limited
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Press Council. Please contact us first if you have concerns about any of the
editorial content of The Informer. If we were unable to address your
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Page 2
Emergency (Ambulance, Fire, Police).24 hours .............................................111
Police (Whitianga) ................................................................................ 866 4000
Police (Tairua) ...................................................................................... 864 8888
Police (Coromandel Town) ................................................................... 866 1190
Fight crime anonymously - Call Crime Stoppers ............................0800 555 111
Dog and Noise Control ........................................................................ .868 0200
Dental Emergency (Mercury Bay) ........................................................ 869 5500
Civil Defence ........................................................................................ 868 0200
Mercury Bay Medical Centre (Whitianga) ............................................. 866 5911
Doctors Surgery (Whitianga) ................................................................ 866 4621
Medical Centre (Tairua)......................................................................... 864 8737
Harbour Master (Whitianga) .......................................................... 027 493 1379
Coastguard Radio Operators ............................................................... 866 2883
Social Services Whitianga ...................................................... ..............866 4476
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The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Tiana Tiro MBAS recipient
of Sir Peter Blake Award
Every year about 300 schools around New Zealand choose one of their students in the
intermediate years to be the recipient of a Sir Peter Blake Young Leader Award. The awards are
a Sir Peter Blake Trust initiative and sponsored by Westpac.
According to the trust, “Sir Peter Blake believed in the incredible potential of young Kiwis
to achieve great things. He knew that inspiring leaders of any age could be found in every
corner of New Zealand. Sir Peter showed all of us there are leaders and there are dreamers.
Leaders make things happen. Dreamers have a vision. The truly special people do both.”
Dean Spyve, MBAS teacher and intermediate head of leadership, had the pleasure to announce
at an MBAS Year 7 and 8 assembly on Wednesday last week that Year 8 student Tiana Tiro was
the MBAS student receiving this year’s Sir Peter Blake Young Leader Award. Mr Spyve said Sir
Peter always gave more than 100 per cent in what he did and Tiana is the same. “Tiana is a hard
worker and very organised. She deserves to receive the award.”
Donna Manning, manager of the Westpac Whitianga branch, handed Tiana her award - made up
of a certificate, a medal, a book on Sir Peter’s life and a pair of Sir Peter’s signature red socks.
Pictured are Tiana with Donna (on the left), Mr Spyve and Katrina Ford, Tiana’s very proud mum,
who was at the assembly to share the special moment with her daughter.
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Page 3
Tavern Made
Mussel Fritters
Prawn Salad
B.L.T.
COROGLEN
DARTS
ALL WELCOME
Seafood Basket
7pm
COME CHECK
OUT OUR MENU
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Best gosh darn night
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Check out
our daily
food
specials
SUPERUGBY
BLUES v
WARATAHS
7:35pm
12 noon - 2pm
SNOOKER 1:30pm
Dinner 5:30 - 8:30pm
Tai Chi 9am
COME IN FOR DINNER
PRE GAME…
STEAK . WINGS
. BURGERS .
TAB
POKIES
5 - 7 pm
EVERY Friday
Super Rugby
NRL Live 7pm
FREE
POOL
Sea Eagles v Warriors
Dine in FREE
on your Birthday
One main, rice & naan.
Minimum 2-person party.
THIRSTY
THURSDAY
HAPPY HOUR
4 - 6pm
Members Draw
Raffles
Lunch • 12 noon - 2pm
DINNER • 5:30 - 8:30pm
Lunch • 12 noon - 2pm
DINNER • 5:30 - 8:30pm
5:30pm
$10 Lunch Specials Tuesday to Saturday
07 866-2666
www.hurry4curry.co.nz
39 Albert Street, Whitianga
(Westpac Bank Arcade)
New tavern made
satay sauce.
Delicious on chicken,
prawns or as a dipping
sauce!
YUMMMM!
Live 5pm
Crusaders v Hurricanes
7:15pm
Highlanders v Chiefs
Steak Night
$16
Live 7pm
Blues v Waratahs
SPECIALS
Super Rugby
Wishing tree
5 - 7pm
Dine In • Takeaway • Delivery
13 / 1 Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga
8 BALL
Games start at
5:15pm
HAPPY HOUR
Open 7 Days
From 5pm
LUNCH
SUPERUGBY
Saturday Morning
Raffles 11am
Lunch
11am - 1pm
Dinner
5:30pm - 8:30pm
FREE POOL
TAB • POKIES
NOTHING
OVER
$15
Good ideas start
with brainstorming.
GREAT ideas
start with
“PUT YOUR FEET UP
LOVE, WE’LL DO THE
COOKING.”
Phone for your
TAKEAWAY DINNER
07 866 3809
www.coroglentavern.co.nz
MENU ONLINE
Happy
Hour
Every
Week Day
4 - 6:30pm
Quiz night
7:30pm
Vouchers
to be won
Authentic North
Indian Cuisine
Wide selection of seafood,
vegetarian & gluten-free.
Children’s menu available.
INDOOR
BOWLS
7:15pm
BISTRO CLOSED
Tai Chi 9am
Body Balance 10:15am
MEMBERS DRAW
Raffles 5:30pm
DARTS 7:30pm
Lunch 12 noon - 2pm
Dinner 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Tai Chi 9am
Indian and Thai
New Hours • Open Monday - Saturday for Lunch and Dinner • Closed Sunday
Enjoy Butter Chicken Combo for Lunch $5.90
Blue Bag Appeal to help local op shops
About twice a year the managers of the four op shops in Whitianga Whitianga Social Services’ op shop in Cook drive and their Family Op Shop in
Coghill Street West, the St Andrew’s Church Op Shop in Owen Street and the
St John Opportunity Shop in Cohghill Street East - get together to discuss things
in common. They have no problem promoting each other’s stores. “After all,
we’re all here for the community,” says Jenny Wolf, the manager of Whitianga
Social Services.
A big problem for all the shops is rubbish dumping. “People find it just too easy
to drop soiled and damaged goods off on our doorstep,” says Jenny. “Between
us we spent more than $1,400 per month on dump fees, that’s more than $16,800
per year that could’ve been invested back into the local community.”
To help with this dumping problem, the community is invited to donate
blue Thames Coromandel District Council rubbish bags to a joint op
shops initiative. Both New World Whitianga and Countdown Whitianga are
supporting the initiative. “We would like to ask the community to purchase
one or more blue bags and drop them into the ‘Blue Bag Appeal’ box at New
World and trolley at Countdown,” says Jo Martin, the manager of the St John
Opportunity Shop. “Every blue bag donated to us will help us save money on
dump fees,”
The Blue Bag Appeal starts on Monday next week (18 July) and will run for a
period of three weeks.
Pictured are the various op shop managers during a meeting they had last
Monday, from left to right - Madeleine Saunders from the St Andrews Church
Op Shop, Alison Follows from the Family Op Shop, Jo Martin from the St John
Opportunity Shop, Kathy Till from the St Andrews Church Op Shop and Jenny
Wolf from Whitianga Social Services.
by SEALY
Page 4
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Fresh Fish and
Chips - only
$15, 5 - 9
Gold Card Holders get 20% off your
bill tonight!
WIN $100 BAR
TAB, JUST BE IN
THE BAR AT 6PM!
RIBS ONLY $15,
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Blues v Waratahs 7:35
Reds v Rebels 9:30
STEAK NIGHT, $18!
Chase the Ace
and win $250
CASH, 6pm
Karaoke from 9pm
from 12:00 noon,
except Mondays
LUNCH OR DINNER
Open til late
tonight
Crusaders v Hurricanes
5:15
Full menu at
www.govino.co.nz
Ph 07 867 1215
for bookings
Deliveries
Woodfired pizza w a
12 noon -10pm
glass of beer/cider $20
EVERY DAY
Except Mondays
Try us for your
next function.
Call Howie today!
Closed Sunday and Mondays
Book now
Lamb
shanks
Stonegrill
Pork ribs with
fries & BBQ
sauce $20
See our school holiday
special on page 3
Ph (07) 866 5060 or 866 5060
KILLER
BURGERS!
$15 Lunches
Mon - Fri
HAPPY HOUR,
7 DAYS
3 - 6:30!
STEAK NIGHT,
$18, 5 - 9
Happy hour
3 - 6:30
$20
MATARIKI ON THE WATERFRONT
SILO PARK - AUCKLAND
For your next event
CURRY NIGHT,
ONLY $10!
5-9
~ Thursday Special ~
Fish & Chips
Lasagne, salad &
Special
a glass of beer/cider
$18
Party Kegs
Available
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
with
Vegas Brown
9pm
Tuesday Special
2 x Tapas Plates
and a Coffee Only $20
Tues - Fri 11:30 - 2:30
Single $25
Double$30
BURGER AND
FRIES, $10
AT EITHER
Book in For Next Friday’s
The Best of the South Island
5 Course Dinner $49
Open Five Nights
from 6pm
Thurs - Monday
Brunch Sat/Sun
Open every day
LIVE MUSIC
Toho wine tasting
coming soon
MERCURY BAY ESTATE
4:30 - 8pm
Friday 5 - 10pm • Saturday 2 - 10pm
LIVE MUSIC
Bring the kids to see
the light installations.
Stay and enjoy a
Beef rump or
chicken with
choice of two sides
$20
Seared ahi
yellowfin tuna
with teriyaki
sauce $25
drink or take away.
Chicken Ballotine
with cream
cheese & bacon
$25
FRIDAY TACOS - ALL DAY!!!!
3 for $8
Choice of beef, pork or chicken!
Sunday
Dip & Dine packages
Roast
$60 per person
Served all
day.
866 0952
Open
11:30 - 2:30 and
5:00 - 8:30
HAHEI
By the Hahei
Store
Follow us on
FACEBOOK
5 - 8pm
Monday
closed
Valley pork
fillet with
caramelised
apple & potato
mash $25
Open
Thursday - Sunday
From 11AM
866 3830
Open from 9am
for breakfast
every day
Page 5
Police Report
By Sergeant Andrew Morrison
Monday 4 July to Monday 11 July 2016
General
A neighbour who was keeping an eye out for
the holiday home owners in his area helped
Police catch a burglar who had been targeting
the Hahei area by immediately contacting
the owner when he observed suspicious
behaviour.
Police were able to stop and arrest the
suspect in Tairua as he towed a boat he had
stolen from the property.
Please report suspicious behaviour so
that we can make it as hard as possible for
offenders to target our community.
Arrests
5th - 1 x 50 year old Hamilton man for Burglary, Receiving, Unlawfully on Property
and Possession of Cannabis.
11th - 1 x 17 year old local man for Unlawfully
Takes Bicycle.
Occurrences
No domestic incidents attended this week.
Squids Seafood
Restaurant
School holiday special all kids meals half price!
Plus our weekday lunch specials AND
our awesome Friday night $50 Deal!
www.squids.co.nz Fb Squids Seafood Restaurant
Blacksmith Lane 07 8671710
TAKEAWAY
• Fresh Fish n Chips
• Classic Burgers
• Heat n Eat dishes
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PHONE YOU
DY TO GO!
A
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R
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A
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A
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OPEN 11am - LATE Ph 07 864 8617
Curry to die for!
Indian or Thai
Page 6
On the 4th keys and equipment were reported
missing from a premises on Joan Gaskell
Drive, while on the 5th underwear was
stolen from a clothes line at a Hamilton
Crescent address.
As per the arrest above a property on Pa
Road, Hahei was burgled and the offender
stole the property owner’s trailer boat.
The offender was arrested in Tairua and
enquiries have linked him to another burglary
and theft ex cars in the Hahei area.
Traffic
No drunk drivers apprehended this week.
Please remember that driver’s licensing
staff come to the St Andrews Church hall in
Albert Street, Whitianga on the second Friday
of the month between 8:30am and 4:30pm.
You are able to complete drivers licence
renewals and theory tests, without having to
drive to Thames or similar.
07 866-2666
www.hurry4curry.co.nz
39 Albert Street, Whitianga
(Westpac Bank Arcade)
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Vegas Brown is back in town... and this
time he’s staying
We’re accustomed to Vegas Brown breezing
into town for the Scallop Festival and rocking
our socks off on the Whitianga Waterways
stage. But now Vegas and his wife Melissa
are becoming locals. Obviously these two
must have enjoyed their sojourns into the Bay
so much they’ve decided to make Whitianga
their home.
Melissa is an experienced bar manager and
Vegas - singer, songwriter, drummer, guitarist
and all-round hugely talented musician is one of the most recognizable names on the
New Zealand music scene.
It’s said of Vegas that music changes
from a noun to a verb when he’s on stage.
That his performances transform his
audiences from mere listeners to active
participants, something that can only be
achieved by someone who truly loves what
they do.
Vegas and Melissa Brown are proud to be two of Whitianga’s newest residents.
So, it’s a bit of a coup that we get to keep
them, so to speak. Vegas is becoming the
new entertainment and media manager at The
Whitianga Hotel. Melissa will be taking over
as bar manager.
Part of Vegas’s responsibility will be
the arrangement of all the hotel’s live
entertainment, along with marketing and
making sure the hotel continues to get noticed
on social media.
Melissa is impressed with the variety and
quality of food being served at the hotel
bistro and is looking forward to build upon
the strong foundation of hospitality already
being provided.
Vegas and Melissa are looking forward to
ensure the hotel remains an attractive location
for locals and visitors alike to meet… and to
want to come back to again and again.
Thursday and Friday evenings at the hotel
will have a whole new atmosphere with the
addition of Vegas performing live every now
and again. “I want to engage with the local
community and will soon launch a jam night
for local musicians,” Vegas says. “I foresee
that the jam night will soon branch out to
accommodate younger musicians early in the
evening as well.
“And I will certainly look into doing
workshops with students at the Mercury Bay
schools.”
It was a discussion with Whitianga Hotel
owner Dave Simmonds that led to an offer
to Vegas and Melissa to become part of the
hotel team. “Both Vegas and Melissa have a
soft spot for Whitianga,” says Dave. “I think
they’re going to be great ambassadors for
the area. I’m delighted that they’ve agreed to
join us.”
For the past five years Vegas has put the
entertainment line-up for the Whitianga
Scallop Festival together and this year is no
different. “This year may well be the best
festival yet,” he says. “I look forward to
working with the Scallop Festival organisers
for many years to come.”
Ten years ago Vegas came to Whitianga
to perform at the hotel with his brother.
“Melissa happened to be in the crowd with
a group of friends, that’s how we met,”
says Vegas. “We were pretty much inseparable
since then. My brother got married here in
Whitianga a few years later and I proposed to
Melissa the very next day. The town is really
special to us.”
Melissa says she and Vegas can’t wait to tap
into what the local area has to offer. “Vegas is
a very keen golfer and I love walking with
him while he’s playing. The Mercury Bay
Golf Club needs to watch out, he will ask to
become a member in the next few days.
“We’re also going to get into some fishing
and already dream about the boat we’re
going to get. And we plan to just enjoy each
other’s company on the many beautiful
beaches around.
“We’re fortunate to now call Whitianga
home.”
by SEALY
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Page 7
Time to stand up and be counted
Three years have passed and local body
elections have rolled around once again.
Maybe you’ve considered putting yourself
forward to serve your community but don’t
know how to go about it. Perhaps you don’t
feel “qualified” to take on a role on Thames
Coromandel District Council or one of the
Coromandel Peninsula’s five community
boards.
The process is not as onerous as you may
believe and being interested in serving your
community is the best qualification you can
have. Elected members come from all walks
of life with greatly diverse backgrounds and
skill sets. Can you add something special to
the mix? Could you spare some time to attend
meetings and contribute towards making
positive decisions to improve the quality of
life we enjoy in the greater Mercury Bay
area? Interested? Right, there are a few things
you need to know • You need to be a New Zealand citizen and
enrolled on the parliamentary electoral
role anywhere in the country.
• You need two people to nominate you
who are both on the electoral role for
the ward you would like to be elected.
The Peninsula is divided into four wards
- Coromandel-Colville, Mercury Bay,
South-East (comprising the Whangamata
and Tairua-Pauanui areas) and Thames.
• Nominations for the 2016 elections open
on Friday 15 July and close at 12:00
noon on Friday 12 August.
• Candidate information meetings are
being held to provide an opportunity for
those members of the public who are
interested in standing to find out how
Thames Coromandel District Council is
structured, the skills required for public
office, the roles and responsibilities
of elected representatives and other
matters like the induction process
and remuneration.
You can stand for the role of mayor, as a
councillor or a community board member,
but if you’re elected to more than one position,
you will take the highest-ranked position.
Along with full council meetings and
sub-committees, councillors also attend
community board meetings and workshops.
In Whitianga there is generally one workshop
and one community board meeting held every
six weeks.
Councillors have a heavier workload than
community board members.
You cannot stand for both TCDC and
Waikato Regional Council.
You can also stand for the Waikato District
Health Board, but you cannot stand for more
than one district health board in New Zealand.
You will need to pay a nomination deposit
of $200 inclusive of GST if you decide to
stand. You may get your deposit under certain
circumstances back.
There is a limit to how much you can spend
on your campaign and this is calculated
according to the population of the ward you
are standing in. There are also rules around
your signage and promotion.
Nomination papers will also be available
on TCDC’s website, www.tcdc.govt.nz,
from 15 July 2016. A candidate information
pack is available from all TCDC offices.
Election day is Saturday 8 October 2016
and voting closes at midday on that day.
It’s a postal vote election, although you can
hand deliver your vote to wherever a ballot
box is situated. The voting period starts on
Friday 16 September.
In Mercury Bay a candidate information
meeting is being held on Saturday 16 July
at 4:00pm in the Mercury Bay Community
Board Room at 10 Monk Street, Whitianga
(behind the TCDC office). In Tairua a meeting
is being held on Sunday 17 July at 4:00pm in
the Tairua Hall, 210 Main Road, Tairua.
If you can’t make it to these meetings (or any
of the other meeting around the Peninsula),
you can look at the information on the TCDC
website or pop into your nearest TCDC office
and request a candidate information pack.
Thames Coromandel District Council Mayor Glenn Leach has indicated that he
won’t be contesting this year’s local body elections.
Thumbs
Up
To the Mercury
Bay commercial
fisherman who freed
a hook from a shag’s
mouth to the detriment of his hand.
Also thumbs up to the OPC truck
driver who assisted him. Awesome
to see that the fisherman, after
more than 25 years’ fishing, is still
looking after the birdlife in the
area.
WHITIANGA PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC
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Sports Injuries / Post Surgery and Fracture Rehab
Acupuncture / Hand Therapy / Women’s Health Clinic
Physiotherapists with the qualifications to provide
excellence in physical health care
Dr Adam’s and Hemmes’s Surgery - Ph 866 4621
Page 8
$100 $50 Dr Hauschka Classical
$90 $45 Sothys Seasonal Orange and Quince
$70 $35 Joyce Blok Classic
*Conditions applyy - one facial per customer.
Offer valid 7 July until 31 August 2016.
COASTAL SANCTUARY
HAIR, SKIN AND BODY THERAPY
Phone 866 2679 ffor appointments
i t
t 14 Vi
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Whitianga
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Page 9
Artists in the Making to
The Green Pages
exhibit in Coromandel Town By Amy Taylor and Jo Fearn
Artists in the Making (ATM) is a support group for people with disabilities, run by Mercury Bay artist Anne
Bowden from her studio in Whitianga.
“We meet twice a week on Wednesdays and Fridays to have ‘playtime’ in my studio,” says Anne. “We do
a variety of art and craft, including mosaic, painting and china painting. We are part of the Coromandel
Independent Living Trust and have been operating in Whitianga since 2002. We’re having an exhibition this
weekend in Coromandel Town, to coincide with the Illume Festival.
“Our exhibition will be held at Hauraki House. It will open this Thursday 14 July at 6:00pm and will be
running through Friday, Saturday and Sunday.”
Anne is understandably extremely proud of the work her artists have created. “I think everyone will feel
a real sense of achievement to see their work hanging in a gallery, to see the progress they have made,”
she says.
“The artists are saying coming to art at my studio is like being surrounded by family and is a safe place
where they can forget about their stresses and have some fun.”
Thank you to those who have responded
positively to our ideas for addressing
environmental issues in Mercury Bay
and the Coromandel. We have had a good
reaction from friends and members of the
community, both in person and also on
our Facebook page which is now up and
running - Green Pages Mercury Bay.
Firstly, an update on our initiative
to try and get Thames Coromandel
District Council to look at alternatives to
Roundup. We were delighted to learn that
Christchurch has decided to phase out the
use of glyphosate weed-killers in public
spaces with Tauranga and Hastings also
looking into substitutes.
We were also contacted by a member of
the Environmental Performance Committee
of Waikato Regional Council, who assured
us that glyphosate use was on the agenda
of an upcoming meeting, this is great news,
a positive step. With larger towns and cities
taking the initiative, it paves the way for our
smaller towns and communities to follow
suit and hopefully become chemical free.
We have been investigating alternatives
and the costs involved, which we aim to
present to TCDC in the near future.
Don’t forget you are still able to sign the
petition and add to the 577 signatures already
supporting a move to see TCDC ban the use
of Roundup.
Another topic on our “to do” list is
attempting to get Whitianga plastic carrier
bag free, following the great examples set
by Raglan, Collingwood and Takaka.
An international campaign launched
called “Plastic Free July” has been running
all month and it aims to bring attention to
the ongoing issue of excessive use of single
use, disposable plastic in our society and
challenges people to tackle the issue in their
own lives.
We have been in talks with the groups
associated with spearheading the carrier
bag free towns and we have lots of ideas
of how to involve the whole community.
From school children studying plastic bag
use to designing reusable bags and the
possibility of a quilting or stitching group
making reusable bags from old donated
material that could be given away free!
We would also like to involve local retailers.
We need incentives to encourage customers
to remember to bring their own bags whilst
shopping at your stores.
Countdown Waiheke recently stopped
providing single use carrier bags,
encouraging shoppers to bring their own,
pay 15c for a compostable bag or buy a
reusable bag for just $1.
If communities elsewhere in the country
can pull together to make it happen,
we know that Whitianga can too, so if
any local retailers, teachers or community
groups would like to get on board,
we would love to hear from you.
Finally, Green Drinks are being held at
La Bodega (45 Albert Street, Whitianga)
next Wednesday evening 20 July from
5:00pm. It is an opportunity to come along
and have a drink, chat and listen to likeminded people discussing environmental
issues in the Mercury Bay area. We would
love to see you there, all are welcome.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Email us at greenpages866@gmail.
com or check out our Facebook page
or write to Green Pages, PO Box 167,
Whitianga, 3542.
Pictured is Shaun Howard, one of Anne’s artists, with a mosaic he has created called “Magic Marlin.”
STAFF WANTED FOR
Scallop Festival
10th September 2016
MULTIPLE POSITIONS TO FILL
Must be 18 years and over
APPLY TO FIONA – PENINSULA CARS
FOR APPLICATION FORM
sales@pencars.co.nz - 07 866 2499
Page 10
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Internationally acclaimed pianist to
perform in Mercury Bay
BBC Music magazine has described
Professor Oleg Marshev as “a phenomenon
- a master of every mood, from strip-cartoon
crispness to thundering monster, but above
all, a controlling sensibility of intelligence
and feeling.”
This is a pianist more accustomed to the
major concert halls of Vienna, New York,
Boston and London than little old Mercury
Bay. And it says something about the esteem
in which Diana and Toby Morcom are held
in the music community that Marshev would
take time out of a busy travel schedule to
perform in a special concert at the Morcom’s
home in Cooks Beach on Sunday 24 July.
Marshev was born in Azerbaijan and is
now a resident of Italy. If you want to get an
idea of where this master musician comes
from, jump on the internet and take a look
at pictures of the city where he was born.
Baku is the largest city on the Caspian Sea
coast and the capital of Azerbaijan. The city
is a visual feast, a stunning mixture of modern
architectural design and historical buildings
and it’s easy to see where Marshev’s classical
influences and his youthful inspiration might
have emanated from.
He studied at the Moscow Conservatory
with Mikhail Voskresensky, graduated in
1988 and won the Pilar Bayona International
Piano Competition in Zaragoza. In 1990
Marshev took the gold medal at the AMSA
Piano Competition in Cincinnati and in 1991
he held his New York debut at Alice Tully
Hall in the Lincoln Centre.
Oleg Marshev has appeared in concert halls
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
around the world since then and along the
way recorded more than 30 CDs.
The house concert on 24 July will be
in two parts, both about 40 minutes long.
The first half will be Brahms Piano Sonata
No 3 in F minor, Op 5, in five movements,
written when Brahms was barely 20
years old.
After the intermission Marshev will present
“The Valses Nobles et Sentimentales,”
a suite of waltzes by French composer Joseph
Maurice Ravel and first published in 1911.
This will be followed by “Gaspard de la Nuit
(Ondine, Le Gibet, Scarbo),” three pieces for
solo piano composed by Ravel in 1908.
Each of the three pieces is based on a poem
from the collection “Gaspard de la Nuit,”
completed in 1836 by Aloysius Bertrand.
The name “Gaspard” is derived from its
original Persian form, denoting “the man in
charge of the royal treasures.” “Gaspard of
the Night” or the “Treasurer of the Night”
so creates allusions of someone in charge of
all that is jewel-like, dark and mysterious.
Of the work, Ravel himself said, “Gaspard
has been a devil in coming, but that is only
logical since it was he who is the author of the
poems. My ambition is to say with notes what
a poet expresses with words.”
The third of the poems, Scarbo, is noted
for its high degree of technical challenge.
“I wanted to make a caricature of
romanticism,” said Ravel. “Perhaps it got the
better of me.” Written in G-sharp minor, this
piece depicts the night-time mischief of a small
fiend or goblin, making pirouettes, flitting in
and out of the darkness, disappearing and
suddenly reappearing
Tickets for the concert are strictly limited to
just 50 and can be purchased from Whitianga
Paper Plus in Albert Street. Adult tickets cost
$40 and student/child tickets $30. The concert
will commence at 2:00pm.
Transport from Ferry Landing will be
provided by Cathedral Cove Shuttles. Please
phone them on 0274 225 899 to book a
ride. The shuttle will leave Ferry Landing
at 1:30pm.
Internationally acclaimed pianist Oleg Marshev will be performing a
house concert in Cooks Beach on Sunday 24 July.
Page 11
Scott’s Thoughts
Scott Simpson - National Party MP for Coromandel
Scott Simpson
MP FOR COROMANDEEL
614 Pollen St.Thames
07 868 3529
www.scottsimpson.co.nz
A large part of my job is helping
people. For an appointment please
contact my office.
email:mpcoromandel@parliament.govt.nz
Authorised by Scott Simpson, 614 Pollen St,Thames
and funded by the Parliamentary Service
I’ve been busy as usual around the electorate
and at Parliament over the last few weeks.
There is a lot going on in politics right now,
with most of the focus on international political
events such as BREXIT, the Australian elections
and of course the Presidential contest going on
in the USA.
In a world of increasing instability,
New Zealand is being held up as a beacon of
stable, sensible government by commentators.
Sure we have our share of challenges here,
but most of them are, as the Prime Minister
has said, the sort that arise in a strong and
growing economy.
I well remember back during the time of
the last government when the biggest issue
we faced was a stagnant depressed economy.
Kiwis were literally voting with their feet and we
had a massive “brain drain” with about 40,000
New Zealanders leaving the country every year.
Now the reverse is true. People are returning
home in droves. Instead of Kiwis heading to
Australia for a better future, we now have large
numbers of Australians coming to live here
to secure a brighter future for themselves and
their families.
These two factors alone are placing pressure
on housing and infrastructure and especially so
in Auckland and our other largest cities.
So, I was pleased with the announcement of
the $1billion Infrastructure Fund which will
be used to accelerate the supply of housing
where it’s needed most. The fund is part of a
very full and comprehensive plan of action the
government is taking to help tackle the pressures
of a rapidly growing and buoyant economy.
Families are the foundation of our society.
As a government we’ve made sure that support
for families is our key priority. The economy
is in a growth phase and projected to be so
for at least the next several years. The latest
measures to distribute the dividends from our
growing economy to families come into effect
this month.
They include putting more money in your
pocket, with the average ACC levy for a private
motor vehicle falling to around $130 a vehicle.
This is down from $330 two years ago.
Recently we also increased paid parental
leave to 18 weeks and made it available to more
people. The actual payments for paid parental
leave payments were increased too.
On the KiwiSaver front, income limits for
KiwiSaver contributors are being removed,
so second-chance home buyers can access their
KiwiSaver funds to buy a home regardless of
how high their income is. That means it will
be much easier for more people to buy their
own home.
One of the new initiatives that pleased
me most was seeing that new fully-funded
treatments for advanced melanoma and
Hepatitis C have become available as part of the
extra $124 million investment into Pharmac that
was announced in this year’s Budget.
The Smoke-free Environments (Tobacco
Plain Packaging) Amendment Bill will soon
become law.
The evidence is overwhelming that
standardised packs reduce the appeal of tobacco
products and discourage people from smoking.
Tobacco is a deadly substance and kills 4,500
to 5,000 New Zealanders every year.
I fully support this initiative for standardised
packaging as over time it will reduce
consumption and save lives.
by SEALY
Page 12
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
A closer look at the Mercury Bay medical
centre land agreement
By Stephan Bosman
When Thames Coromandel District Council
announced in The Informer of 15 June that
Whitianga Waterways has gifted a 4,100m²
piece of land to the people of Mercury Bay for
purposes of a medical centre, they also said
the gifting agreement would be made publicly
available following a meeting of Council on
29 June.
The agreement was indeed made available on
the TCDC website on 30 June.
Announcement of the gift was met with
scepticism by some members of the community.
At the Mercury Bay Community Board
meeting held on Wednesday last week (6 July),
two people spoke about the issue. For those
who are unaware, at every Community
Board meeting members of the public get the
opportunity to address the board members on
any issue of concern to them.
Following the Community Board meeting,
I decided to have a look at the agreement to see
what exactly was agreed on.
The agreement isn’t a gifting agreement.
It was signed in the form of an agreement for
sale and purchase of real estate (in the format
used by real estate agents and lawyers on a daily
basis) with Whitianga Waterways as vendor and
TCDC and/or their nominee as purchaser.
The purchase price of the land is $250,000
plus GST, if any. However, payment of the
purchase has to be made immediately after
the purchaser has received a cash amount of
$250,000 from Waterways by way of gift.
The agreement is conditional on the purchaser
This diagram provides an indication of the shape of the land next to
Joan Gaskell Drive in Whitianga that was gifted to the people of Mercury Bay by
Whitianga Waterways for purposes of a medical centre.
obtaining consent to subdivide the land off the
larger tract of Waterways land it forms a part
of and resource consent to develop a medical
centre on the land within 18 months from the
date the agreement was signed.
Waterways and the purchaser will work
together on the subdivision and resource
consents, to ensure the conditions of the
consents won’t impact on Waterways’ existing
consent to develop a retirement village on the
land next to the medical centre land.
Once the subdivision and resource consents
have been obtained, Waterways must without
delay arrange for a property title for the land to
be issued by Land Information New Zealand.
If Waterways fails to do whatever is
necessary for a title for the land to be issued,
then the purchaser can make the necessary
arrangements Waterways’ place.
If a title for the land hasn’t been issued
within 12 months from when the subdivision
and resource consents have been obtained and
Waterways hasn’t made good progress with the
process of a title being issued, then the purchaser
can cancel the agreement. If good progress has
been made, then Waterways will have a further
six months to obtain title.
The purchaser will be responsible for all
costs related to the subdivision and resource
consents, the issue of a title for the land and
all infrastructure to be built on and in the
immediate vicinity of the land to ensure the land
is suitable for the development of a medical
centre, including accessways.
The purchaser must use the land for a medical
centre only. In the event of the development
of a medical centre not having commenced
within five years from the date the subdivision
and resource consents have been obtained,
then Waterways will have the option to take the
land back from the purchaser, without having to
pay for it.
The agreement doesn’t state it in so many
words, but it is inferred that TCDC must
nominate a charitable trust to become the owner
of the land. The trust must also be registered for
GST at the time it takes ownership of the land.
At their meeting last Wednesday, the members
of the Mercury Bay Community Board agreed
that councillors Tony Fox and Murray McLean
and board chairman Paul Kelly will, together
with TCDC staff, be responsible for moving
the development of a medical centre on the land
forward until such time as a charitable trust has
been established to take ownership of the land.
The board also confirmed that an amount of
$250,000 of ratepayer funds will be available in
the TCDC 2016/2017 financial year to be spent
on preliminary work regarding the development
of a medical centre on the land.
TCDC staff pointed out to the board at the
meeting that the costs related to the infrastructure
to be built on and in the immediate vicinity of
the land to ensure the land is suitable for the
development of a medical centre, is expected
to be approximately $200,000. These costs will
form part of the overall cost of the development
and won’t come out of ratepayer funds.
coromandel peninsula
This Saturday
Whitianga Town Hall
9am-3pm Gold coin entry
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Page 13
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS MOVIE FUN
WITH THE MERCURY BAY INFORMER
AND MERCURY TWIN CINEMAS
Gobb
Gobblefunk
Gobblef
b efunk Word Search
Searc
Gobblefunk is the language created by Roald Dahl to give the BFG his unique voice. It is comprised of silly
words that are similar to words found in the English language and are used when ordinary words just won’t do.
The filmmakers were initially concerned that the words would make the characters’ dialogue too confusing for
the audience to understand. “We didn’t want it to stop people from listening and trying to understand a line of
dialogue because they just didn’t get it,” explains executive producer Kathleen Kennedy, “But after hearing how
Mark Rylance spoke it, we all wanted more.”
The actor wanted more of the language as well, and he wanted to repeat the words so that they actually became
part of his character’s strict vernacular. “He wasn’t just pulling things out of his hat,” says Rylance. “The BFG has
words that he uses for certain things and he repeats them in his life.”
See if you can find all 12 of the listed Gobblefunk words hidden in the letter mix below:
CHIDLERS » Children
DELUMPTIOUS » Delicious
FIGGLERS » Fingers
GIGGLER » Little Girls
PHIZZWIZARDS » Happy Dreams
RUMMYTOT » Nonsense
SKUMPING » Worried
SPLITZWIGGLED » Caught
TROGGLEHUMPER » Nightmare
WHIFFLING » Heading Off
WHIZZPOPPER » Fart
WHOPSEY » A Little Bit
Page 14
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Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Coromandel Kitchens now an international,
and very experienced, affair
Coromandel Kitchens in the Moewai Road
industrial area of Whitianga is under new
management. And it’s somewhat of an
international, and very experienced, affair.
Manager Gregg Murray’s wife, Emily,
is a Kiwi. Gregg is from Scotland and initially
that’s where he and Emily decided to settle.
In 2002, with Emily pregnant with their son
Corban, they, however, decided to join Emily’s
mum in Te Rerenga. “Corban was born in New
Zealand,” says Gregg. “We moved back to
Scotland when he was a year old. For the next
10 years we moved between Scotland and the
Coromandel, staying two or three years at a
time wherever we wanted to call home. It was
a lifestyle Emily and I really enjoyed, but as
our family grew - we have two girls as well,
Bronte is 11 and Adison is 5 - we realised the
need to settle down more permanently.
“We put roots down in Mercury Bay two
years ago.”
Gregg started an apprenticeship as a joiner
in Scotland when he was 16 years old.
“My dad’s mate was a joiner and he needed
an apprentice, so my dad volunteered me,”
says Gregg. “Fortunately I really like what
I do. It also served me well with Emily and
me moving back and forth between here and
Scotland as I can work anywhere.”
Helping Gregg to do the hard lifting in
the business is Shane Morgan, a joiner with
more than 35 years’ experience, most of it in
Australia. Shane is living with his daughter
in Coromandel Town. He also has two sons,
who are both working for Spark. “I
like being part of a team,” says Shane.
“And I’m fortunate, I have a nice drive to work
every day.”
Rounding out the team is kitchen designer
Janet Skipper. Janet originally hails from
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
London, but has spent the past 25 years
working in Auckland. “My husband and I
arrived in Whitianga in April,” says Janet.
“Our aim was to retire here. We started
talking about building a house and had
discussions with a few builders and next
thing I know, Gregg offered me job. So much
for retirement.”
The trio work well together, but one thing
they don’t exactly agree on is how to spend
their free time. Shane is into motorcycles and
Janet into quilting. And to confuse things
completely, Gregg is a mad keen footballer.
And that’s no understatement. In addition to
being head coach of the Mercury Bay Junior
Boys football team, Gregg is also captain
of the Red Devils, the Mercury Bay Senior
football team. “If Gregg doesn’t talk kitchens,
he talks about the football stadium he’s going
to build in Whitianga when he wins Lotto,”
laughs Shane. “The stadium is going to have a
flash kitchen in it,” quips Gregg.
All three of Gregg, Shane and Janet are
excited about the future of Coromandel
Kitchens. “We have some solid work in front
of us,” says Gregg. “We’re not bound by selfimposed geographical boundaries and will
be happy to take on work everywhere on the
Coromandel and Hauraki Plains. Our aim is to
become the first name coming to mind when
people are thinking of a new kitchen.
“At the end of the day we want to deliver
an outstanding product, the kitchen our clients
really desire, on time and with as little stress
as possible.
“And I’ll always be happy to engage with
our clients in a discussion about that football
stadium I want to build in Whitianga when I
win Lotto.”
The new team in charge of Coromandel Kitchens in Whitianga.
In the front are Gregg Murray and Janet Skipper. In the background is Shane Morgan.
Page 15
KSAR Column
By Steve Hart
June was certainly a busy month for
Kuaotunu Land Search and Rescue with
our Mega Garage Sale on Queens Birthday
weekend, moving into our new base and two
search call-outs. Least to say our volunteers
were stretched, but good numbers attended
where required.
The garage sale was an awesome day with
a large array of goods donated, including
special items such as a dentist chair,
a concrete mixer and a fridge compressor
off a yacht. We had a lot of buyers combing
through the sale items, with lots of banter
from bargin seekers. The dentist chair went
to a tattooist, so it will continue to be a pain
throne for years to come.
On 16 June we were called out by the
Waikato SAR squad to undertake a search
for a lost female German tourist near Castle
Rock. She had been dropped off by friends
at Castle Rock Road off the 309 Road with
the intention to walk up to Castle Rock.
Unfortunately she took the wrong track and
despite her best efforts soon become quite
lost trying to get back down to the road.
In this case she did the right thing by
stopping and calling the police who then
called KSAR.
We assembled on Castle Rock Road,
setting up a forward incident control point
to task teams and manage the initial stage of
the search from our mobile base. The police
contacted the Rescue Coordination Centre in
Wellington and they were able to pinpoint the
grid reference location of the lost party via
KSAR team leaders Andy Taylder and Claire Eliot with Suzanne (centre), a tourist from Germany who got lost while
attempting to walk up Castle Rock and was then found by a KSAR search team.
her cell phone.
Two teams were tasked on different routes to
that grid reference. One team had a mission
pushing through swathes of pampus down
a slippery slope, but managed to locate
a very relieved tourist within two hours
right at the grid reference point provided.
Awesome work by the police and the Rescue
Coordination Centre.
The tourist was of slended build, cold and
wet, so a wet, chilly night out may had a
different result. At the invitation of the owner
we retreated to Waiua Waterworks for hot
chocolate and a debrief. It was a classic text
book search with a great outcome.
The following week we were calledout again to search for the driver who was
missing from his ute that crashed into the
sea off Colville Road. As we were enroute,
the driver was located nearby and transferred
to hospital.
Our move into our new base was completed
over two days and we are very relieved to
finally have our own home. Our members
are extremely excited and very impressed
with the facilities. It’s still work in progress,
with a fairly new kitchen currently being
fitted after being generously donated by a
home owner from Matarangi, complete with
all the appliances.
Next month our base project will be
finished and we will give The Informer a
sneak preview before our official opening
in late August. Thanks again to John Murray
our project manager, all the local tradesmen
and suppliers for the generous discounts,
our hard working volunteers and the people
of Whitianga for your awesome support to
complete the KSAR base project.
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lfmproductions.co.nz
by SEALY
Page 16
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Page 17
To the Editor
See page 2 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
Dear Editor - Gold exploration in Mercury Bay
Scott Simpson and OceanaGold combined
forces in The Informer of 29 June to reassure
us that gold exploration in Mercury Bay entails
little more than farmers sinking bore holes.
Mr Simpson went on to express his doubts
that Oceana would bother to pursue mining
activities, even if they found what they were
looking for, as the “hurdles” created by
our environmental protection regime and
“national and local pushback” would make
getting to the mining stage not worthwhile.
Let's put it in perspective, he urged.
Good idea.
To suggest that a giant like OceanaGold
is exploring for fun is moronic. They do not
seem to be the kind of company to balk at
regulatory hurdles, they are currently suing
the government of El Salvador for refusing to
grant mining permits there.
Exploration is a serious business. Once an
owner grants access for exploration purposes,
it’s irrevocable. You can’t change your mind
and the Crown Minerals Act states that the
agreement is binding on all future owners.
Exploration is a step along the road to mining
and it’s mining that’s the problem.
OceanaGold decry the lack of facts in the
arguments used by those who oppose them,
so I found them some. This information
comes from an article summarising peerreviewed research. Extracting a kilogram of
gold requires, on average, 175 gigajoules of
energy - mostly in the form of fossil fuels,
477,000l of water and 150kg of cyanide.
It produces 1,800 tonnes of waste rock and 20
tonnes of greenhouse gases.
And for what? Ten per cent of all gold
produces is used in industry, 52 per cent in
decoration and the rest by banks and private
individuals seeking to protect their wealth.
The economic benefits of mining are
overstated. A glance at Waihi, one of the
least prosperous communities in the country,
and at major gold producing nations such
as Peru, shows that the wealth derived from
mining does not remain in the country or
region of origin. The environmental risks
do, though.
The home of beko
UK’s #1 Home Appliance Brand
Page 18
Sales &
Service
If OceanaGold really wants the shiny stuff,
they can recycle it, a process that consumes
much less energy and produces 90 per cent
less greenhouse gases. There’s more gold in
landfills than there is waiting to be extracted
under the ground.
I’m going to give OceanaGold a hand.
I’m going to send them my old cell phones and
computers. I suggest your readers do the same.
Tina Spencer
Whenuakite
Dear Editor - Closure of the Whitianga
WINZ Office
I have been following the recent
correspondence in The Informer about the
closure of the WINZ office in Whitianga and
wish to reply to your correspondent (name
withheld), who asked in The Informer of 6
July whether anyone has taken up the issue
with the politicians.
The answer is yes. At St Andrew’s Church
in Whitianga, interaction with families who
receive a community meal on a Monday
evening has revealed all of the problems
brought about by the WINZ closure. As a
result we at St Andrew’s took up the matter
with MP Scott Simpson and the Whitianga
Combined Churches Committee also voiced
its concerns.
Whitianga Social Services has also been
working hard at this since the office has closed.
Mr Simpson has repeatedly informed us that,
if we can give details of specific cases of
hardship brought about by the lack of a WINZ
office in Whitianga and more particularly
the requirement to travel to Thames, he will
“follow up on known cases.”
We at St Andrew’s would like to hear from
persons who are willing to disclose their
personal file details, and we will pass them on
to Mr Simpson.
St Andrew’s Church is open all day every
Monday, to leave contact details with the
community meals team.
Dorothy Preece,
St Andrew’s Parish Secretary, Whitianga
Editor’s Note - Also see the feature on page 21
of this issue of The Informer.
49 Albert Street
Whitianga
P: 07 866 5726
WHITIANGA
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
The St John Siren
Sponsored by Mercury Bay Pharmacy Tel 866 4532
Wind, rain, and even a frost. We must admit
that winter is upon us at last. We’ve had
a good run of an extended warm autumn.
Personally I would rather have a frosty winter
than a wet winter.
Things at the Whitianga Ambulance Station
have been moving along. We have accepted five
new volunteer officers and a further two who
have transferred from other areas to Whitianga.
Our current staffing stands at 22 volunteer
ambulance officers and four paid full time
officers. We are very fortunate that our first
responding ambulance can be fully crewed 24/7
and we have the second responding ambulance
crewed on occasion with a volunteer crew.
We are aiming to increase the crewing of
this second vehicle as the qualifications and
experience of our newer officers improves.
This will enable better local coverage when
the first ambulance is out of town on another
call-out.
Call-out-wise we were busier than June last
year. Last month we responded to a total of
81 call-outs, 56 medical related and 25 trauma
related. We utilised an air ambulance on two
occasions during the month. Our response totals
stand at 544 for the six months of this year and
this compares with 502 for the same period last
year, an increase of 42.
St John, as with any organisation, has had to
make changes in the way we operate to ensure
that we are keeping abreast of current practices
and that we are spending money in the best way
that maximises patient outcomes.
Over the last few years we have introduced
new ambulances and we are continuing
to develop the ambulance fleet with the
introduction of new, more cost effective
models. We have introduced world-leading
new technology in our electronic patient report
forms and our mobile data terminals. We have
made significant changes to the way we respond
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
to requests for assistance and in how we triage
calls to our emergency communication centres.
That has led to improvements in our response
times to the high acuity cases.
One of St John’s ambitions is to provide the
“right care at the right time.” To achieve this
ambition we have established a Clinical Hub in
our communication centres. This “hub” is made
up of paramedics and nurses and is where lower
acuity calls are sent. The Clinical Hub was
initially introduced and trialled in Auckland and
is now being expanded across the country.
The Coromandel has been using the Clinical
Hub since late 2015. What does this mean
for you?
If you call us with something that isn’t time
critical or life threatening, we will see if there
is a better way to help you. It is all part of how
St John provides the right care at the right time.
Never think twice about calling 111 - your care
is our priority.
Every day St John receives country-wide
about 1,500 emergency 111 calls. A small
number of those calls are from people who need
medical help, but for whom an ambulance is not
the best treatment. We have a better way to help
those people.
St John has registered nurses and paramedics
sitting in our 111 control centres, Their job is
to carry out in-depth clinical assessments over
the phone and give healthcare advice to those
low acuity calls.
That could include helping to arrange a visit
to the caller’s GP or to a local medical centre.
The best treatment may be to stay home and
rest, but call us back of anything changes.
Clinical Hubs have meant that approximately
6,000 people over the last year were treated
without needing ambulance transport to a
hospital. The great benefits of this is that
we’re not clogging up the hospital emergency
departments and also we are utilising
Mike Burrows, manager of the St John Whitianga Ambulance Station.
ambulances better, responding to the higher
acuity calls faster.
When an ambulance does attend on you,
when you have dialled 111, it is not a given
that we will transport you to Thames hospital.
Of course if your condition warrants a trip to
Thames that is what will happen. However,
we are now also utilising other treatment
options which include assess, treat and leave at
home with instructions, making appointments
with your GP to see them later, or taking you to
your GP for treatment.
So why don’t I just phone my GP? The reason
is that if you call the ambulance, we can assess
and treat you and also assess the best treatment
option for you. This means that you get the right
care faster. We work closely with all the GPs in
our community to provide the best care for you.
So, will I get an ambulance when I call 111?
If you need an ambulance we will get one to you
as quickly as possible and you will be assessed
and treated by our ambulance officers. If you
call with a life-threatening or time critical issue,
for example chest pain or difficulty breathing,
nothing will change, St John will send the first
available and closest ambulance immediately.
Remember, that if there is a medical
emergency you should never think twice about
calling 111, your care is our priority. Please
don’t hesitate to call 111 for assistance.
Mike Burrows
St John Whitianga
Ambulance Station
Manager
Page 19
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• Splash backs • Media Units
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Op-Shops
Social Services Op-Shops - 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm and Coghill Street
(west of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00am - 1:00pm.
The Church Op-Shop, at St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. Open Thursday to
Saturday 8:30am - 12:30pm.
St John Opportunity Shop, Coghill Street (east of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday,
10:00am - 4:00pm, Saturday 10:00am - 2:00pm. Phone 869 5416.
Justice of the Peace
Every Monday 10:00am - 12:00 noon at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive. Phone 866 4476 for more information.
Mercury Bay Community Bus
Available for transport to hospital, specialist or health related appointments outside of the Whitianga area.
Phone 866 4993 for information and bookings.
Road Cycling and Mountain Biking
Road cycling meets every Saturday at 8:00am at the Fire Station intersection, Whitianga. Phone Bryan on
022 155 8944 for more information.
Mountain biking meets every Tuesday at 5:15pm and every Saturday at 7:30am at the Fire Station intersection,
Whitianga. Phone Paul on 021 605 230 for more information.
Social Cycling Group
Meet every Sunday at 10:00am at Taylor’s Mistake, Whitianga. Short 45 minute cycle and coffee. Phone Bryan on
022 155 8944 for more information.
“Whitianga Movers and Losers” (the Old WW’s)
Wednesdays 5:00pm - 6:00pm at St Peters Anglican Church, Dundas St, Whitianga. $2 donation (to cover cost of room
rent). Support Group for women passionate about their health. Nourishing foods, moving more, towards better vitality and
weight loss. New members always welcome.
Mercury Bay Community Choir
Meets every Monday from 6:00pm - 8:00pm in the Mercury Bay Area School music room. Non-auditioned. New members
welcome. Contact Kate Nielsen on telephone 866 2573 or (027) 270 9058 for more information.
SeniorNet Whitianga Incorporated
Classes held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at various times. We give older adults an opportunity to demistify their
computers and to learn more about new communications and information technology. Contact Lorna Russell on
866 4215 for more information or to join.
Scottish Country Dancing
Every Tuesday from 7:00pm - 9:00pm in the Whitianga Town Hall. Phone Anthea on 866 4516 for more information.
Whitianga Toastmasters
Meet fortnightly on a Tuesday (first, third or third Tuesday of every month) at the Whitianga Art Group building, 20 School
Road (off Eyre Street), Whitianga, 6:30pm - 8:00pm. Visitors welcome.
Matarangi Craft Group
Meet the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 7:00pm - 9:00pm at the Matarangi Fire Station. Phone Lesley
on 866 0788 for more information.
Whitianga Senior Citizens Club
Meets Mondays in the Whitianga Town Hall, 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Bowls, scrabble, card games, housie etc. Afternoon tea,
55 plus age group. Phone Adrian Telders (president) on 866 5377 for more information.
Operation Cover-Up
Meet the last Wednesday of every month at Whitianga Social Services from 1:00pm - 3:00pm. An initiative knitting
clothing for Missions without Borders in the Ukraine and Moldova. Phone Brenda on 866 5814 for more information.
Mercury Bay Woolcraft Group
Meets every first and third Wednesday of the month in the Whitianga Town Hall in Monk Street from 10:00am - 2:00pm.
All welcome. Phone Wendy Russell on 866 3225 or Lou Bell on (027) 438 1965 for more information.
Whitianga Art Group
Meets every Thursday and Friday, 10:00am - 4:00pm, at the Art Centre in School Road, Whitianga. New members
welcome. Phone Rose on 022 139 2968 or Maryanne on 866 4099 for more information.
Mercury Bay Table Tennis
Every Tuesday 9:30am - 11:30am at the Whitianga Town Hall. All welcome. Phone Pat or Neville on 867 1447 for
more information.
Mercury Bay Badminton
Every Wednesday 9:30am - 11:00am at the Whitianga Town Hall. All welcome. Phone Diane on 027 246 1915 for
more information.
Welcome to Our World
Meeting for new residents in Mercury Bay. Held the second Sunday of every month at the Monkey House Theatre in
Coghill Street, Whitianga. Starts at 5:00pm. Phone Noel on 866 5115 for more information.
Mercury Bay Indoor Bowling Club
Meet every Thursday evening at 6:45pm in the Whitianga Town Hall. New members always welcome. Phone Alan on
866 4024 or Doreen on 866 5237 for more information or just come along.
Have a Go Squash Holiday Programme
Thursday 14 July at the Mercury Bay Squash Club, Lyon Park, Whitianga. No experience necessary. Racquets and balls
provided. To register, contact Justine Baverstock, telephone (027) 434 1565 or email thamescoro@sportwaikato.org.nz.
Mercury Bay Senior A Rugby Team
Quarter final home game v Hauraki North at Lyon Park in Whitianga on Saturday 16 July. Kick-off at 2:00pm. Please wear
black and yellow, the Mercury Bay Rugby & Sports Club colours, in support of the team.
Coromandel Peninsula Art and Craft Fair
Saturday 16 July from 9:00am - 3:00pm in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. Come see and buy amazing art and
craft made and demonstrated by clever artists living on the Coromandel Peninsula.
Whitianga Penny University
Sunday 17 July at 2:00pm at Nina’s Café, Victoria Street. See www.http://mypennyuniversity.weebly.com for
more information.
Mercury Bay Forest and Bird AGM
Sunday 17 July at 6:30pm at the Monkey House Theatre, Coghill Street, Whitianga. Guest speaker Stephanie Borele seabird secialist and photographer. Complimentary drinks and nibbles will be served.
Regular Church Services
Mercury Bay Co-Operating Parish
St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, 9:30am every Sunday worship service and kids friendly Bible sessions,
Albert Street, Whitianga.
Anglican Services
St Peter the Fisherman, 9:30am Sunday services. All are welcome, Dundas Street, Whitianga.
Crossroad Encounter Fellowship
10:00am every Sunday, cnr Joan Gaskell Drive and Cook Drive, Whitianga.
St Patrick’s Catholic Church
Weekend Mass Saturday 5:30pm and Sunday 8.30am, Monday - Friday 9:00am (except Tuesday no Mass,
Wednesday 12:00 noon). Tairua Sunday 10:30am, Tuesday 9:00am, tel 866 2189.
Whitianga Baptist Church
10:00am every Sunday, children’s programme, 112 Cook Drive, Whitianga, tel 866 4027.
C3 Whitianga
10:00am every Sunday, children’s programme, 23 Coghill Street, Whitianga, email info@c3whitianga.org.nz.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons)
Meet on Sundays 10:00am - 11:30am at the Whitianga Social Services building, 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Children’s
programme. Phone 021 277 2126 for more information.
Seventh Day Adventists
Home study group. Phone Laurie/Lois on 866 2808 for more information.
by SEALY
Page 20
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Nobody WINZ, so it seems
There has been a great deal of community
interest in the current lack of a WINZ office
to serve the greater Mercury Bay area, as
raised by Jenny Wolf - manager of Whitianga
Social Services - in The Informer of 29 June.
The Whitianga WINZ satellite office closed
in 2014, following a shooting in Ashburton
in which two WINZ staff members were
tragically killed. There is a growing concern
that the Whitianga office may potentially
never re-open. We’re a relatively isolated
community and WINZ clients face a twoand-a-half hour return trip to the nearest
WINZ office in Thames.
Whitianga Social Services is trying their
best to assist WINZ clients but is, according
to Jenny, unduly carrying a load that they are
not equipped to deal with.
We have now sought some answers from
our elected representatives and the Ministry of
Social Development (MSD), the government
ministry responsible for WINZ, themselves.
“No decision has been made on the future
of the Work and Income satellite sites,”
MSD’s Waikato Regional Commissioner
Peter Anderson told us. “These sites have
never delivered a full service and clients
have always been required to travel for some
core business.
“The work we did in the satellites was
mainly special need grants, annual review
appointments and medical certificates. Most
of that is now done online or via our Central
Processing Unit. Over the years consideration
has been given to funding local providers
or setting specific business days aside in
Thames for Whitianga clients, but neither
has been necessary as 99 per cent of the time
our clients have been able to make travel
arrangements themselves.
“Nevertheless, since the closure of the
satellite sites, we have put various things in
place to support our service to clients.
“At the moment, the Thames team books
Work Search Support workshops and Work
Focused Case Management appointments for
our Whitianga clients giving them a lot of
notice to arrange travel, such as carpooling.
The seminars are timed to work in with the
daily bus and there is also a community van
that runs on a koha [gold coin] that can be
booked ahead of time.
“Diane McDermott, a Waikato MSD
manager, met with Whitianga Social Services
Manager Jenny Wolf on Monday last week
and we are investigating a range of requests
to support the local Whitianga residents,
including the following • Enabling JPs to confirm clients’
identification instead of them travelling
to Thames - especially our senior clients.
• Ways to better support transport to and
from Whitianga for clients to attend
Work Focused Case Management
appointments and Work Search Support
workshops.
• Investigate kiosks being set up at
Whitianga Social Services for clients to
go online at their premises - particularly
around job search activity.
“Diane will meet with Jenny again on 15
July to discuss what further support we can
put in place.
Green Party List Member of Parliament and
Coromandel resident Catherine Delahunty
isn’t impressed with the current state of
affairs. “Smaller communities have suffered
from WINZ offices being closed,” she says.
“We understand that staff must be kept
safe, but they cannot do their job helping
communities just over the phone. Does MSD
realise that many people cannot afford to
travel to another office? Whitianga and other
rural towns rely on the [WINZ satellite]
offices and people have been waiting for
them to re-open.
“I asked the Minister of Social Development
18 months ago about a timeframe for the
Coromandel, but she basically said ‘wait and
see.’ It is time for the Government to commit
to this service being open and it is time they
give Whitianga a date.”
Scott Simpson Member of Parliament for
the Coromandel electorate says, “Reopening
the WINZ office in Whitianga is an issue
that’s not quickly going to be resolved.
Whitianga isn’t the only WINZ satellite office
that has been closed following the shootings
in Ashburton in 2014.
“Until such time as MSD is certain they can
assure the safety of their WINZ staff members,
no satellite offices will be reopened. In the
mean time, WINZ is attempting to address as
many of the issues of Mercury Bay residents
online or over the phone as possible.
“I have offered before, and I’m extending
that invitation again, if there’s anybody on the
Coromandel Peninsula who have difficulty
getting any WINZ matter resolved because of
the closure of the Whitianga satellite office,
they must please contact me. I will gladly
personally take whatever their problem may
be up with WINZ and MSD.”
MSD pleaded last week guilty in the
Wellington District Court when charged with
failing to take all practicable steps to ensure
its staff members were safe.
The WINZ office in Whitianga remains closed.
JULY 2016 UPDATE
Plenty to report on in this update as everybody is hard at work on all
our projects.
Endeavour Quay
The Endeavour internal road is nearing completion. The weather does
not help preparing roads for sealing, however we are not far away
and the loop will be completed. It won’t be opened until all works are
done, including landscaping.
Marlin Waters
Road works are due to start at this development next week, which will
see the roading network completed for almost half of the development.
Four more units are nearing completion. The floor has been
poured for a further set of units, with some canalfront units due to
commence shortly. These canalfront units will have fantastic water
and Coromandel Ranges views.
Concert
Tickets for the Whitianga Summer Concert are on sale this week.
The promoters offer a great deal for locals, so make sure you take
advantage of it. I would encourage everyone to take the opportunity
the concert offers and if we can assist you to do that, we are keen to
hear ideas.
The same goes for the Scallop Festival. Both are events showcasing
Whitianga as well as having a positive economic impact. If we all get
behind these events, the impact is multiplied.
Kupe Drive Extension
Earthworks are underway on this stage. The section levels need to
be elevated to match into the existing homes, so sand is being taken
out of the future canal footprint.
Once these levels have been achieved, it will be top-soiled and
grassed. If the weather plays the game, we will look to have the
majority of this development completed by December.
Access
Just another reminder that all our worksites are restricted access,
please do not enter them unless accompanied by a staff member.
This is to ensure your safety as the sites change from week to week.
If you want to have a look at what we do, we are happy to take you
out to view. Just give us a call.
House Construction
It is plainly obvious to all who have taken the time to drive around that
we are well and truly in the midst of a housing boom. Great to see all
the builders and other subcontractors going from one job to the other.
It is also really pleasing to see all the young faces who have been
taken on as apprentices entering the construction industry.
Our sales office is open 7 days,
Weekdays 9:00am - 4:00pm and Saturdays and Sundays 10:00am - 2:00pm.
For further information please do not hesitate to contact our sales office on 07 866 0164.
Email - whitiangawaterways@xtra.co.nz Website - www.whitiangawaterways.co.nz
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Page 21
Locals helping to build a community
centre in Khunde
Several Mercury Bay and northern
Coromandel residents were part of a group of
people who’ve recently returned from Nepal
where they helped the people of Khunde,
a village in the Everest region of the country,
to build a new community centre.
The village’s former centre was destroyed
in the two major earthquakes that struck the
country in April and May last year.
Richard Vetter, the owner of Peninsula
Roofing and Scaffolding in Whitianga,
was one of the members of the group. He was
joined by builders Allan Bruce and Wayne
Wilton from Whitianga and Milton Harray
from Tuateawa. No to become too homesick,
Richard convinced his daughter Alana, who
grew up in Whitianga, to join him on the trip.
The trip was the initiative of John Gully,
the owner of a business called Everest Treks.
Almost every year John, who’s very well
known in the Everest region of Nepal, takes a
group of young people to Nepal to experience
life in a part of the world they are completely
unaccustomed to. Last year five Mercury Bay
senior students, together with Richard and
MBAS parent Gary Hinds, formed part of
the group.
“We left Nepal last year just before the first
earthquake,” says Richard. “It was quite a
shock going back this time around and still see
the devastation that was caused. “We spent last
year a few days in Khunde. The people of the
village, like everywhere in the Everest region,
Page 22
are amazing. They don’t have much, but their
resilience is outstanding. They were so warm
and welcoming to us and genuinely appreciated
the effort we made to come and help them.
“It made an impact on all of us that the
people of all the villages in the area didn’t sit
waiting around for help from other places after
the earthquakes, they just got on with getting
their lives back to normal. Everywhere there
were buildings being repaired or new buildings
being built.
“We initially planned to only put a roof on
the Khunde community centre, but with the
help of the local people, we got it done so fast
that we could move inside and put a timber
floor down for them too.
“It was fantastic having Milton Harray with
us. He was sponsored on the trip by Tuateawa
The group of people who helped with the building of a new community centre (in the background) in Khunde. On the left is Whitianga local
Richard Vetter. Next to Richard is Allan Bruce and in the back row on the right is Wayne Wilton. Allan and Wayne are from Whitianga too. In the
front row wearing the orange hat is Milton Harray from Tuateawa. Richard’s daughter Alana is on Milton’s left hand side.
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Locals helping in
Khunde
locals and some of his clients. Their investment
certainly paid off. Milton assumed the role of
site foreman and he’s he reason why we could
get so much done. His planning was meticulous
and he had us organised to the minute.
“Our last night in Khunde, the people of the
village put on a special night in our honour.
It was quite touching to see how much they
appreciated what we’ve helped them with.
It was an enjoyable evening. We were treated
to party food, Nepalese style, and were each
given a prayer scarf. We learned local dances
and songs and, in return, entertained them with
some classic Kiwi songs. John Gully couldn’t
resist showing them the haka too.
“We left all our tools behind for the people
of Khunde to use. They didn’t expect that and
were very thankful.”
After the group’s five day stay in Khunde,
some of them returned to Lukla, the nearest
village with an airport, to fly back to Kathmandu,
the capital of Nepal. Some decided to walk to
the Mt Everest base camp, some 35km away.
Allan Bruce was among them.
“I don’t know when I’ll be able to go to
Nepal again and couldn’t resist the opportunity
to see what the Everest base camp looks like,”
Allan says.
“There are no motor vehicles and no roads in
the Everest region of Nepal. If you want to get
somewhere, you have to walk. It took us three
days to get to base camp. Remember walking
10km per day at an altitude of 4,000m above
sea level isn’t easy.
“There actually isn’t much at base camp,
only tents on the edge of a glacier. The terrain
is very rocky. I was surprised at how clean
the area was. I expected a lot of rubbish.
The Nepalese government certainly put in a
huge effort to clean the area up and there are
lots of rubbish bins on the way to base camp.
“You can’t really see Mt Everest from base
camp, only its tip on a clear day.”
The weather deteriorated significantly during
Allan and the other members of the group’s
way back to Lukla. “We had two days of rest
and relaxation in Kathmandu scheduled,”
Allan says. “But because of the weather,
no aeroplanes could get into the airport in
Lukla. I now can add hanging around the
Lukla airport for almost two full days among
the things I’ve experienced in my life.
“When the weather cleared, and no place
for us on the fully booked commercial flights,
we ended up chartering a helicopter to
Kathmandu. I just made my flight back to
New Zealand.
“Despite the challenges getting back home,
I don’t regret going to Nepal for a moment.
It was such a rewarding experience. For me it
was an eye-opener to see how happy the people
of the Everest region are, despite having so
little and certainly living in circumstances
that’s at times more than challenging.
“And, of course, it made me appreciate so
much more what we have in New Zealand.
I certainly think we live in one of the luckiest
countries on earth.”
Whitianga
07 866 0070
• Spouting
• Roofing
• Water treatments systems
• Septic tanks
• Hot Water cylinders
• New Housing
• Alterations
• General Maintenance
• Solar water heating
• All LPG gas installation
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Page 23
Rescue Helicopter Update (Supported by Dive Zone Whitianga - tel (07) 867 1580)
By Walter Russell QSM JP - Chairman of the Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust
June was another busy month for the Rescue helicopter as you can see from the statistics,
with a wide variety of call-outs.
We’ve had a few groups shown through the helicopter base in Whitinanga during June and
I’ve been giving talks to quite a few other groups.
If anyone would like to have a look at the base, please give me a call and we’ll arrange a
suitable time.
The Kuaotunu Land Search and Rescue building next to the helicopter base is now completed
and they’ve started moving in. A great effort by all concerned.
Thanks you so much to all our regular donors from all over the Coromandel Peninsula.
Your support is of great help to us and help us to keep on improving the Rescue Helicopter
service on the Peninsula.
Until next month, stay warm and drive safely.
Walter Russell
Phone 866 5032
www.coromandelrescue.org.nz
PO Box 227, Whitianga 3542
Auckland and Coromandel Rescue Helicopter missions for the period 28 May to June May 2016
29.05.16 Patumahoe - Responded to Patumahoe for a male patient in his 30s suffering injuries after a MVC. He was
transported to Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition.
29.05.16 Tairua - Responded to Tairua for a male patient in his 80s suffering a medical condition. He was transported
to ACH.
30.05.16 Coromandel - Responded to Coromandel for a male patient in his 90s suffering injuries after a fall. He was
transported to WBH in a moderate condition.
30.05.16 Tairua - Responded to Tairua for a male patient in his 80s suffering a medical condition. He was transported
to Thames Hospital in a moderate condition.
03.06.16 Kennedy Bay - Responded to Kennedy Bay for a male patient in his 40s suffering injuries after a MVC.
He was transported to WBH in a serious condition.
He was transported to WBH in a serious condition.
He was transported to WBH in a moderate condition.
05.06.16 Whangamata - Responded to Whangamata for a female teenage patient suffering injuries after falling off
a skate board. She was transported to WBH in a moderate condition.
05.06.16 Paeroa - Responded to Paeroa for a male patient in his 20s suffering injuries after a shelving unit fell on
him. He was transported to Middlemore Hospital in a critical condition.
08.06.16 Whangamata - Responded to Whangamata for a male patient in his 70s suffering a medical condition.
He was transported to WBH in a critical condition.
10.06.16 Waihi - Responded to Waihi for a female patient in her 20s suffering a medical condition. She was
Page 24
transported to Waihi in a serious condition.
11.06.16 Kaihere - Responded to Kaihere for a male patient in his 80s suffering a medical condition. He was
transported to WBH in a serious condition.
11.06.16 Matarangi - Responded to Matarangi for a male patient in his 50s suffering injuries after a fall. He was
transported to Middlemore Hospital in a moderate condition.
14.06.16 Pauanui - Responded to Pauanui for a male patient in his 90s suffering a medical condition. He was
transported to Thames Hospital in a critical condition.
15.06.16 Whitianga - Responded to Whitianga for a male patient in his 30s suffering injuries after a chainsaw
accident. He was transported to WBH in a moderate condition.
16.06.16 Coromandel - Responded to Coromandel Airfield for a male patient suffering a medical condition. He was
transported to ACH in a critical condition.
17.06.16 Pauanui - Responded to Pauanui for a male patient suffering a medical condition. He was assessed by the
doctor and transported to Thames Hospital by ambulance.
18.06.16 Thames - Responded to Thames for a male teenage patient suffering injuries after an accident playing
rugby. He was transported to WBH in a moderate condition.
19.06.16 Kennedy Bay - Responded to Kennedy Bay for a male patient in his 20s suffering injuries after an
altercation. He was transported to ACH in a moderate condition.
21.06.16 Whitianga - Responded to Whitianga for a female patient in her 70s suffering an injury. She was transported
to WBH in a moderate condition.
22.06.16 Thames - Responded to Thames Airfield for a male patient in his 30s suffering a medical condition.
He was transported to ACH in a moderate condition.
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Community Patrol Report
By Laurie Johnston - Chairman of the Mercury Bay Community Patrol
We have just has our AGM, which was
really well attended. I am pleased to say our
outgoing committee were all re-elected.
We have for the last few years had an
excellent team running the patrol and this
stands us well for the future. Police Sergeant
Andrew Morrison reported that Waikato
Police Superintendent Bruce Bird was very
pleased with the work our patrol does, as he
was too. Crime is down in the Mercury Bay
area and that’s a plus for us all.
When we commence our patrols at night,
we log on with the Police communication
centre in Auckland and we give them our
vehicle registration model and colour and
who is on patrol. This is because we come
under their control and they know we are in
the area and able to assist in any eventuality.
Just recently the operator called our patrol
to ask if we had been in a particular street,
yes our patrol members had just turned out
of that street. The operator replied that a
concerned resident had phoned and said that
a suspicious vehicle had been in their street
and it was travelling very slowly. It was us,
that is the normal way we work.
There are two points worth thinking about
with this situation. The first is, as I have
just stated, we always travel around slowly.
It gives us a chance to see anything untoward.
The second is that it was really good of the
resident to get on the phone and call the
police. Most people don’t like calling 111,
but in any suspicious circumstances you
should call that number. The police are only
too pleased to know what might be happening
and can organize a response if necessary.
Finally, there are always a lot of local
residents going to warmer climates at this
time of the year and if anyone is a little
worried about their home, you can always
let us know. We can take a closer look from
time to time, but not to the extent of trying
the doors!
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Kitchens Bathrooms WardroBes Furniture shopFitting Custom Renovations or neW Builds
17 Coghill Street, Whitianga. Phone 07 866 4513,
tony@dimax.co.nz. www.dimax.co.nz
by SEALY
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Page 25
UK Style Crossword
© Lovatts Puzzles
UK Puzzle 697
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Tel no: __________________________________________________________________
Win a $6 Wednesday Lotto ticket. Hand deliver or mail or scan and email your entry to
The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or
info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each week. The winner must please claim
his/her prize from the New World check out manager directly before the Wednesday of the week
following the issue in which he/she was announced the winner.
ACROSS
1. More delicious
4. Gaze fixedly
7. Authorise
8. Tired
9. Map key
12. Attracted (penalty)
15. Most distant
17. Wireless crackle
18. Workforce
21. Citrus crop
22. Unhappily
23. Addictive narcotic
T HE O DD J OB M AN
DOWN
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
10.
11.
13.
14.
16.
18.
19.
20.
GARY VINCENT
Alpine singer
Cleaned (floor)
Chamber
Distort (direction of)
Dalliances
Effortless
Ate meal
Mary, Queen of ...
Give outline of
Pierced with lance
Actress, ... Anderson
Maths problems
Crafty
Toiletry powder
Last week’s solution
No job too small.
oddjobman@slingshot.co.nz
07 866 0059
021 1466 074
Your local caring funeral directors
• Modern chapel & viewing room •
• Excellent sound system •
• Ample parking • Celebrants available •
Last week’s winner - John Hughes
Funeral Directors for over 140 years
Tel (07) 868 6003
by SEALY
Page 26
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Did you remember... last Sunday was
Dollars and Cents Day
By Deli Connell
“Don’t shed a tear next year for cumbersome
pounds and pence…” So began the cute little
ditty that heralded the introduction of decimal
currency in New Zealand way back on 10
July 1967, last Sunday 49 years ago.
There was quite a to-do, with advertising
on TV, radio and in the papers to prepare the
nation for the momentous occasion. Black and
white adverts skittered across the TV screen
with different buying scenarios, reassuring
the lady of the house that she wouldn’t be
“diddled” out of her housekeeping money
and that during the transition period the old
money would be accepted alongside the new.
So pounds, shillings and pence were
replaced with dollars and cents - 27 million
new banknotes were printed and 165 million
new coins minted.
Hard to understand the fuss now,
after all, decimal money makes way more
sense than the “old money.” A pound was
divided into 20 shillings and a shilling into
12 pence. People had got used to doing the
fractions, but it was really complicated
- 100 cents to a dollar that was worth 10
shillings of the old money would be simpler.
Australia had already made the change
in February 1966 without the sky falling,
so here in New Zealand we could probably do
it too. We had, however been debating it since
1959… you don’t want to rush these things
you know!
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Amusingly there was a real fear that folks
would confuse our new dollar with American
dollars, so names like the “Zeal” and “Royal”
were debated. They never gained a lot of
traction and the “Royal” was openly laughed
at. So, in the end, we got our own dollars.
A lot of the advertising was aimed at
school children with the cartoon character
“Mr Dollar” urging youngsters to become
“dollar scholars.” I do remember there was a
degree of angst in our household but, being the
youngest of our tribe, it was never a problem
for me. Starting school post decimal currency
I never knew anything else. “My parents
and siblings did, however, have a period of
“old money” v “new money” comparisons.
The first designs for the new notes and
coins were publicised in 1966 and the designs
debated. The designs for the notes were kept
under wraps until the 11th hour to avoid
counterfeiting, which had already become a
problem in Australia.
Over the years a great deal of science has
gone into watermarking, holograms and other
forms of anti-crime technology, but back then
printing was not so sophisticated.
The original series of dollar notes featured
our Queen, Elizabeth II, wearing Queen
Alexandra's Kokoshnik tiara, King George
VI’s festoon necklace and Queen Mary's floret
earrings, while the reverse featured native
birds and plants, as they do now. However,
since the 1980s we have, in a popular move,
added portraits of famous New Zealanders.
If only our money went as far now as it did
back in 1967.
Back then, post decimal currency,
four cents would buy you a pint of milk,
a Moggy Man milk ice-block was three cents
and both could be bought with the proceeds
of an empty bottle collection refunded at the
local dairy. Even with inflation adjustment a
lot of our grocery items, most notably milk,
are relatively way more expensive than in the
good old days.
Makes you wonder what we’re doing
wrong… At least now, 49 years on from the
arrival of decimal currency, we have some of
the best looking dollars in the world today!
Page 27
3
5
1 49
7
8
6
2
Fishing Report
Sudoku
Sponsored by H&M Pascoe Tel 0274 852 046
Sudoku Puzzle 697
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Tel no: __________________________________________________________________
Fill in the boxes using the numbers 1 to 9. Every row and column, and every group of nine boxes
inside the thick lines, must contain each number only once. Deliver or mail or scan and email
your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga
or info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each week. The weekly prize is one
butter chicken combo (including rice and a poppadom) from Hurry 4 Curry, Whitianga. The winner
must please claim his/her prize from Hurry 4 Curry directly.
The Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club
has had a long history in Whitianga and
we have always gone to great length and
expense to encourage members of the
fishing community to come to our town
to experience the thrill of fishing and to
support the local business community.
The Mercury Bay Swordfish and Mako
Shark Club was formed in 1924 by a small
group of people, including Ernie Chadban,
the proprietor of the Whitianga Hotel at
that time.
In 1928 the now famous American
western writer Zane Grey and his
companion Captain Laurie Mitchell arrived
to sample the abundant Mercury Bay waters
before heading to Tahiti. Such were the fish
numbers, they vowed to return.
It was Zane Grey who introduced “proper”
game fishing to New Zealand. Where
previously fish were hooked and hauled to
the boats with ropes, gaffed or harpooned,
Zane Grey introduced quality rods, reels,
lines, etc and developed techniques to fight
the fish rather than following the fish until
it was tired and then landing it.
By 1933 Mercury Bay had an international
reputation with visitors from all over New
Zealand and as far away as Argentina.
With the onset of the Great Depression in
1932 - 1933 and World War II breaking out,
game fishing as a form of recreation was
put beyond most people.
In 1947 the club saw a revival following
a spectacular catch by a local Whitianga
skipper, Bill Clark. A black marlin estimated
to be 1,000lb (453.6kg) which took over 12
hours to get to the boat, rejuvenated the
game fishing craze in Mercury Bay.
Around this time the club adopted its new
name, “The Mercury Bay Game Fishing
Club,” with Roy Dale, the local publican,
becoming the new president. Current life
member and previous club patron, Richard
Simpson, was at the inaugural meeting.
Another current life member, Don Ross,
arrived in 1949 to set up a fishing career
with his boat “Ngaroma.” Don was one
of the first people to actively fish for tuna.
Along with Ken Collier, he attracted many
people to the Bay to search for the “fish
of a lifetime” and with a lot of success.
In the 1962 - 1963 season over 200 tuna
were recorded in the Club’s catch records.
Over the decades since then many famous
names would surface and the stories of some
of the characters are many. The club holds
a significant amount of memorabilia and
members and visitors alike are welcome to
view this material
whenever
they
like.
Tight lines,
Alan
Last week’s winner - Peter Sheehan
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M: 021 909 406
P: 07 392 9123
E: rolly@smartbrokers.co.nz
Contact Rolly for a FREE, no-obligation chat today - it’s just the ‘smart’ thing to do!
A disclosure statement is available on request and free of charge.
Pacific Coast Marine
admin@pcmarine.co.nz 29 Bryce Street Whitianga
07 8660551
Mobility equipment available for locals or visitors.
Walking frames, crutches, walking sticks and mobility scooters
Phone Roger on 07 867 1986 for more information
Page 28
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Any chance you can help Forest & Bird?
Whitianga is certainly a town in a magical
location with a beach within strolling distance
and a, potentially, stunning natural habitat
winding out from between the housing
developments to greet the ocean.
You may have driven over Buffalo
Beach Road’s “first bridge,” as it is known
colloquially, and marvelled at the seemingly
unpronounceable name of the stream it
crosses, without really appreciating its natural
and historic significance. Named for Kupe’s
home marae back in Tahiti, the Taputapuatea
stream (also known as Mother Brown’s
Creek) has great spiritual significance
for Maori.
The Taputapuatea Spit (the area between
Buffalo Beach and the Taputapuatea stream)
is a similarly significant environmental
asset which has, over decades, fallen fowl
of blackberry and other invasive weeds and
Gay Breeuwer, treasurer of the Mercury Bay branch of Forest & Bird, at the new walkway
through the back dunes of the Taputapuatea Spit to Buffalo Beach.
lost some of its original beauty and value as a
habitat to many forms of wildlife.
How lucky for us all that the team from the
Mercury Bay branch of Forest & Bird have
decided to make restoration of the spit their
major project to be spread over the next
few years. Detailed research on what the
spit may have originally looked like from a
horticultural perspective has been done and
plans have been drawn up.
It’s quite astonishing how big an area the
spit actually is when you see an aerial view.
And that’s the issue. The Mercury Bay Forest
& Bird branch, while hardy and committed,
are not many and are seeking the support of
the community to make this project a success.
“While we have great support from Thames
Coromandel District Council, the Mercury
Bay Community Board and Waikato Regional
Council, we really need more support from
the public to work on the spit with us,”
says Gay Breeuwer, treasurer of the branch.
“The back dunes are important to stabilising
the front dunes and restoration work is far
preferable to having more rocks walls on the
beachfront. The dunes also provide a natural
area to enjoy right in the middle of town.
“A new walkway has been created off
Buffalo Beach road by the bridge, taking
walkers through the back dunes and out
onto the beach. We’ll be putting fairly basic
signage at the entrance of the walkway at
the end of July. Eventually we would love to
have interpretative and educational signage to
inform the public about the area.”
There are hundreds of native plants arriving
in a few weeks and Forest & Bird have
scheduled Saturday July 30 for a planting
bee to get them in the ground and they really
need the people of Whitianga and the wider
Mercury Bay area to come out and help.
“We’re meeting at the Whitianga Boating
Club at 9:00am whether it is raining or
sunny,” says Gay. “It’s important to note that
the plants are all low growing plants that will
not interrupt anyone’s view out to sea.”
Aside from rolling up your sleeves and
bringing your own spade or trowel and gloves
to the planting bee, the Mercury Bay branch
of Forest & Bird would love more members.
“We are desperately in need of a
secretary,” says Augusta Macassey-Pickard,
who is juggling the roles of chair and
temporary secretary with being a new mum.
There’s never been a better time to get
involved as the AGM is scheduled to be held
this Sunday 17 July.
The AGM will commence at 6:30pm
in the Monkey House Theatre in Coghill
Street, Whitianga and drinks and nibbles
will be supplied. The guest speaker is
Stephanie Borrelle, a seabird specialist and
photographer, who has been actively involved
in the restoration of the Mercury Islands
and has recently returned from Antarctica.
Stephanie is also a founding member of a
project to make Auckland plastic bag free.
Aside from the opportunity to be involved
in
some
outstanding
environmental
initiatives, being a member of Forest & Bird
can bring you into contact with inspirational
speakers and educators that folks rarely get
the opportunity to meet.
There is no obligation to join the branch.
Everyone willing to lend a hand on 30 July
will be more than welcome.
5 Monk Street, Whitianga
Office Ph: 07 8671087
Email: info@plannersplus.co.nz
David: 027 4994833
Tracey: 027 4907988
See us for all your land development,
planning and resource consent requirements.
www.plannersplus.co.nz
by SEALY
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Page 29
Everyman Cryptic Crossword
© The Observer
Observer Puzzle 697
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Tel no: __________________________________________________________________
Go in the draw to win a package of Mercury Bay delights (including restaurant, cafe and attraction
vouchers). Hand deliver or mail or scan and email your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer,
14 Monk Street, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by
6:00pm Monday each week. The winner will be drawn in July 2016 and will be notified by phone.
No correspondence will be entered into once the winner has been notified. Conditions apply.
WAITAIA NURSERY
Native • Ornamental
Big Trees • Fruit Trees
Citrus • Hedging
Palms • Hire plants
and more
Across
1 Container that’s dry inside trunk (6)
4 Pathetic pieces of work that aren’t even engraved (8)
9 Reform of laws, sane, ethical and immaculate (5,2,1,7)
11 Length of time that is left for dog (7)
12 Offensive and motivated, caused continuing annoyance (7)
13 Further from initial source (4)
14 Adviser working with sovereign in
court (10)
18 Tiring, getting cross, engaged in treatment of huge stain (10)
19 Prima donna eager to return (4)
21 Wind spool finally after film by
artist (7)
23 Plain old vehicle occupied by six officers initially (7)
24 Meeting for journalists with bias covering extremes of serious
fraud (5,10)
25 Influence is held by established
writer (8)
26 Go quiet during precious time (6)
Down
1 Key defenders with speed (9)
2 Explosive musical beat, in short, endlessly excellent thing (3,4,8)
3 Advanced tips for ideal pulse (6)
5 One with oar in crew originally
raised (5)
6 Fight to keep Rhode Island in
shape (8)
7 Real faith in cool, fantastic
song (5,10)
8 Fear start of difficult study (5)
10 Stripped of power, explain
betrayal (4-3)
15 Farewell so full of purpose,
very loud (4-3)
16 Brief rest at inn, refreshed (9)
17 Man apprehending sneer changed sweater (8)
20 Hostile article on part of Bible (6)
21 Plan ends in special care for tree (5)
22 Appearance from rising sun receiving approval (5)
Bagged Products
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Thurs - Sun 9am - 5pm
other days by phone
appointment
(07) 869 5910
• Design and build new pools
• Renovations of existing pools
• Pool covers, auto or manual
• Quality portable spa pools
Contact Peter Thomas
M: 0274 806 288
A/h 07 866 4358
Waitaia Road
Kuaotunu
www.mercurybaypools.co.nz
Subaru Authorised Parts & Service Centre
We Service & Repair Any Make & Model
On Car Brake Lathe
WoF
Electronic Diagnostics
New & Used Vehicle Sales Tyres~Fitted & Balanced
07 866 4134
Contact Brent or Sue
6 Abrahamson Drive
sublab.whitianga@outlook.co.nz
Vehicles sold in conjunction with Bay Subaru
2016 Forester, Silver ( New) $39,990.00 & ORC • 2005 Outback H6 Green Silver(58Km) $9,990.00
2014 Levorg 1.6ltr Turbo (12Km) $34,990.00.
by SEALY
Page 30
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Brain Teaser - Magic Squares
© Lovatts Puzzles
Brain Teaser Puzzle 697
Win a coffee and a muffin from Espy Cafe in Whitianga. Hand deliver or mail or scan and email
your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or
info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each week. The winner must please claim
his/her prize from Espy Cafe directly before the Wednesday of the week following the issue in which
he/she was announced the winner.
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Tel no: __________________________________________________________________
Magic Squares Instructions - Complete this clever mini crossword by answering the clues. If you
have done so correctly, the words will read the same both across and down the grid. British English
spelling is used.
Last week’s solution - Vaki
Last week’s winner - Ivy Milne
Whitianga Tractors
& EQUIPMENT CENTRE
Sales
Repairs
Maintenance
TRACTORS & SMALL ENGINES
Dave and Karen
Phone 07 867 1046 a/hrs 0275 832 343
Email whitianga.tractors@gmail.com
Dakota Drive Whitianga
Your local Husqvarna dealer
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
Page 31
Sport Results
MERCURY BAY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Ladies Golf Lou Rivas Trophy, Morrison Cup Final and
Winter Putting - Wednesday 6 July
Results Division 1 - 1 Debbie Holmes 72 net, 2 Raewyn
Hill 73 net, 3 Chris Watson 75 net, 4 Carol Wyborn 77 net.
Results Division 2 - 1 Su Marceau 70 net, 2 Ann Blair 76
net, 3 Diane Eccles 78 net.
Nearest the Pin on #4 (sponsored by Mainly Casual) Pam Anderson, Nearest the Pin for 2 on #18 (sponsored
by Sheree Henderson) - Chris Watson, Twos - Pam
Anderson, Raffle (sponsored by The Harbour House Café) Pam Anderson.
Lou Rivas Trophy - Won by Su Marceau.
Winner of the Morrison Cup - Chris Watson (who beat
Munin Tonsri in the final). Well done!
Men’s Golf Stableford - Wednesday 6 June
Results - 1 Osman Emer 40, 2 Ken George 38,
3 Carl Mitchell 37, 4 Mark White 37.
Twos - Ron Watson, Ken George and Jack Coldicutt.
Men’s Golf Winter Cup Round 2 - Saturday 9 July
Results - 1 Jack Coldicut 41, 2 Equal Gordon Davidson
and Mark White 39, 3 Equal Steve Tull and Wayne Malcolm
38, 4 Equal Ken Meads, Graeme Heathcote and Graeme
Butler 37.
Twos - Bob Haase, Nearest the Pin (0 - 18) - Bob Haase,
(19 - 36) - Keven Clark, Longest Drive (0 - 18) - Carl
Mitchell, (19 - 36) - Paul Bradley.
PURANGI GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Stableford - Saturday 9 July
1 Equal - Brian Keucke and Geoff Dalzell 40, 3 Mike Davies
39, 4 Jeff Bright 37.
4BBB - Jeff Bright and Grant Webster 46.
TAIRUA COUNTRY CLUB
Ladies 18 Hole Golf BOP, Prescott Plate and Shootout
- Tuesday 5 July
Results Division 1 (0-31) - Nat Hoskin 38, Lisa Radford 36,
Tina Larsen 31, Val Bradley 31.
Results Division 2 (31-42) - Linda Keyte 37, Robin Hunter
34, Ruth Crossman 28, Bev Wickham 27.
Top Cats - Val Bradley and Robyn Hunter.
Ladies 9 Hole Golf Stableford - Tuesday 5 June
Results - Shirley Fellows 19, Joyce Birdsall 15,
Lori Sinton 14.
MERCURY BAY NETBALL CENTRE
Wednesday 6 July
College - The Natives 51 v The Hustlers 43,
The Intimidators 31 v Senior B 53.
Seniors - Facebook Ladies 9 v CAS Premier 63, Whiti Ferns
32 v Vixens 39.
MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER
Wednesday 6 July
Best of three frames.
Peter Challis took home the bacon pack with three wins.
Two wins for Brian Codyre and Warren Bellingham.
One win for Wayne Bellingham and Barry Roach.
Highest Break - Warren Bellingham 23.
MERCURY BAY JUNIOR FOOTBALL
Saturday 9 July
Senior Girls - After a bit of a tense Friday night deciding
if the weather would allow the Bay team off the Peninsula
for the weekend’s game, another early morning led to
another away game, with the help of the team’s sponsors
Coromandel Outdoor Language School, The Whitianga
Hotel, Carl Gubb Electrical and Dino's Pizza.
The team made it over the hills to Hamilton to face off
against Hillcrest High School in their first game of the
Knockout Cup. Hillcrest started with kick-off, but the Bay
had the sun at their backs and knowing that to stay in the
competition they had to win, they got out of the blocks
with guns blazing. Almost as soon as the first whistle
went, the Bay took possession of the ball and launched
straight into the attack. This aggressive start led to striker
Tia Ngarimu getting the first goal in the first 10 minutes.
The girls were ecstatic, but knew that they couldn't let this
early lead get to their heads, so they played on as they
have always done, solid.
Throughout the whole first half the Bay dominated
possession, keeping 90 per cent of the play up in their
attacking half with so many shots that it was difficult to
keep track of them all.
The second half the Bay had the kick-off and they used
it well to keep possession. Within the first five minutes,
the ball went to Chloe Potae who was playing left defence.
Seeing her chance Chloe took the ball all the way up the
paddock with her whole team cheering her on as she
dribbled and fought past each Hillcrest defender that
dared to take her on and booted the ball into the back of
the net to score the Bay’s second goal. The jubilant Bay
girls just got even better with another goal in the next
ten minutes coming from Tia. From then on the second
half progressed much the same as the first half did,
with the Bay holding possession and continuing to
ferociously attack the Hillcrest goal.
And that was how the game ended, with the Bay girls
attacking and in the lead. Game 3 - 0 to the Mercury
Bay Mako's.
Player of the Day went to Kaya Farrell for never giving
up and staying aggressive and positive to hold off
one of Hillcrest's main attackers affectionately
dubbed “headband.”
After much effort and determination the Bay girls have
managed a solid win, so let's keep it up for the rest of the
competition and the season! Go the mighty Makos!
Game report by team member Hannah Trebes.
MERCURY BAY INDOOR BOWLING CLUB
Thursday 7 July
Winners - Alan Henderson, Cheryl Henderson and
Maree Denney.
Runners-Up - Doreen Davies, Lyn Wilkins, Terry Buchanan
and Nirie Reddy.
Good Sports - Merle Ward, Keith Denney, Shirley Hamilton
and Frank Judd.
COOKS BEACH INDOOR BOWLING CLUB
Triples Championship - Wednesday 6 July
Six teams competed in a tight contest. No team won all
their games in the qualifying rounds.
One team - Arthur Taylor, Alan Henry and Keith Wright earned six points for winning three games. In their final
game, they were four down with one end to play and
scored five to win with the last bowl!
Champions for 2016 - Arthur Taylor, Alan Henry and
Keith Wright.
Runners-Up - Colleen Hunt, Frank Caulton and
Alan Gregory.
TAIRUA INDOOR BOWLING CLUB
Monday 4 July
A well-attended roll up evening.
Winners - Terry Hefferan, Glenda Aitkenhead and
Ron Annan.
Runners-Up - Brian Payne, Beryl Burrows and Les Sinton.
Chocolate Fish Award - Joan Smith, Jenny Geddes and
Perrine Busby.
Raffles Won By - Glenda Aitkenhead, Ron Annan,
Joan Smith, Ray Bruce and Athol Avery
Members please note there is a change to the advertised
programme. The Jack and Jill Competition will now be
held on 1 August and the Singles Championship will be
played on 8 August. Names in as soon as possible please.
MERCURY BAY BOWLING & SPORTS CLUB
2-4-2 Tournament - Sunday 10 July
First - Dawn Adams (visitor) and David Stoddard - 3 wins
and1 drawn game.
Second - Lynn Clifford and Trevor Knight - 3 wins and
26 ends.
Third - Dale and Les Small - 3 wins and 23 ends.
Fourth Equal - Peter Sheehan and Peter Mead and Jason
Dickison and Shannon Marino - 3 wins and 20 ends.
MERCURY BAY CONTRACT BRIDGE CLUB
Championship Pairs Round 7 - Wednesday 6 July
North/South - 1 Gavin Hedwig and Kate Palmano 60.94,
2 Robyn Hogg and David Dylla 60.16, 3 Val Dwight and
Sue Gill 56.77.
East/West - 1 Myra Hoogwerf and Vivienne Leigh 59.09,
(Continued on page 35)
Classifieds and Public Notices
BOATS WANTED
HOME INSULATION
MISSING
MUSIC TUITION
MISSING
Much loved family cat disappeared 29th May.
PLEASE help us find him.
Any information, please phone 867 1355.
WE NEED
YOUR BOAT NOW!!!
Quality late model trailer boats
needed for sale on behalf!
We have buyers waiting!
Call the team at Whitianga Marine
Centre today on 867 1182 or come in
to 233 South Highway, Whitianga.
PRIME MUSIC ACADEMY
Is taking on new students now.
Private music lessons available in
Voice, Guitar, Drums and Piano.
Phone Anita 027 259 1085
to book or visit
primemusicacademy.com.
SITUATIONS VACANT
RETAIL ASSISTANT REQUIRED
For women’s fashion store, part time. Either Wednesdays or Saturdays by agreement.
Other part-days or days possible on occasion.
Need to be a mature, friendly, outgoing and honest person with great people skills.
Applications to PO Pox 191, Whitianga 3542.
HOLIDAY MANAGER
Join our team looking after our houses and our guests in Whitianga.
Love meeting people, have great attention to detail and a cleaning extraordinaire?
Email team@bachcare.co.nz.
ADMINISTRATION POSITION
Mercury Bay Museum is seeking
a person to manage and
promote the museum,
working with a team of volunteers
and part-time staff.
The position requires up to 30 hours
per week and availability for
weekend work.
A Position Description is available
on request from
info@mercurybaymuseum.co.nz.
Reply with CV to
Administration Position,
11A The Esplanade, Whitianga
by Friday July 22.
KEEN TO LEARN INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE
OF ALUMINIUM JOINERY?
NZ Windows is a well established window and door manufacturer with branches in
Tauranga, Hamilton and Whitianga.
We pride ourselves on providing outstanding service to our customers.
We have an employment opportunity for someone who is keen to learn installation
and maintenance of aluminium joinery in our Whitianga branch.
The main responsibilities of the role include • Helping to install architectural aluminium joinery
• Onsite glazing and maintenance
• Manufacture and install balustrades
Skills and Attributes Required • Be a positive team member
• Great work ethic and attitude
• Must have a current driver’s licence
nzwindows.co.nz
• Reliable and punctual
Please email interest to corosales@nzwindows.co.nz.
The home of beko
UK’s #1 Home Appliance Brand
Page 32
Sales &
Service
49 Albert Street
Whitianga
P: 07 866 5726
WHITIANGA
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
PUBLIC NOTICES
DEATH NOTICE
ANIMAL REHOMING
KATHLEEN ELLA SHARKEY
died peacefully 10 July at Whitianga
Continuing Care, aged 92.
Private cremation held.
COULD YOU GIVE THESE CATS A HOME?
IN MEMORIAM
BRYAN KENNERLY
7-7-14
The song has ended,
but the melody lingers on.
Remembering you with a smile and a gin.
Love always,
Anne
PUBLIC NOTICES
SQUASH
Time to register your interest for
Business House Squash Round 2,
8 weeks starting Tuesday 26 July $80.00 per team.
Individuals are welcome we can put you in a team.
Contact Dawn Thurgood 021 048 8514
or kiwidawn@hotmail.co.uk
by Friday 22 July.
WHITIANGA GOSPEL CHOIR
Due to popular demand this choir will be
continuing to operate for the community
each Wednesday at 4:00pm.
This is open to all ages and is held at
Crossroad Encounter Church.
Please phone Anita 027 2591085 for more
information or just come down!
The lovely black cat needs a new home due to a change in her owner’s circumstances.
She’s about five years old and has been spayed.
We also have a six month old tortie female, who is a little timid and may be
best in a home without small children. She’s been spayed, vaccinated and microchipped
and has had flea and worm treatment.
If you can offer either of these cats a home, please phone the girls at
Whitianga Vets 07 866 5314.
LANDSCAPING SERVICE
WORK WANTED
WHITIANGA MODEL RAILWAY
DISPLAY, Saturday 16 - Sunday 17 July
at 4 Captain Wood Avenue,
10:00am - 4:00pm.
WHITIANGA’S PENNY UNIVERSITY
At Nina's Café, Sunday 17th July 2:00pm.
All welcome for some lively discussion.
www.mypennyuniversity.weebly.com
WHITIANGA COUNTRY MUSIC & VARIETY CLUB
2:00pm Sunday 19 June. Open mic.
Mercury Bay Club. No charge. All welcome.
CHIMNEY
SWEEP
Clean and
efficient service.
Phone Ian now
on 866 5344.
WORK WANTED
INTENTION TO GRANT CONCESSION
Submissions close 5:00pm, Friday 2 September 2016
The Minister of Conservation gives notice of her intention to grant a thirty (30) year
concession (easement) under section 17Q of the Conservation Act 1987 to Waitaia
Forestry Limited for a Right of Way access road for forestry purposes through part
Coromandel State Forest Park.
Any person or organisation may object in writing to the Director-General against the
proposal, or make written submissions on the proposal having regard to the matters in
Section 17U of the Conservation Act 1987.
How to submit
Objections or submissions should be sent to Director-General
Department of Conservation
PO Box 5244
Dunedin 9058
Attention Lynette Trewavas
Phone +64 (0)3 474 6966
Email ltrewavas@doc.govt.nz
Submissions will be accepted up to and including 5:00pm Friday 2 September 2016
and should include the reference WK-28733-OTH.
Please note - submitter's information could be disclosed under the Official Information
Act 1982 and submissions are part of the statutory process and may be commented on
by the concession applicant.
Hearing
Any person or organisation wishing to be heard in support of his/her objection or
submission, must request (in that objection/submission) an opportunity to appear
before the Director-General.
If a hearing is required, it is likely to occur during the week 12 - 16 September 2016.
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
KEEN ENERGETIC WORKER IS
LOOKING FOR WORK
Experience with animals, gardening,
sales and much more.
Phone Jacci on 021 174 4845.
MIKE’S MOWING
$25 empty sections, fortnightly
or monthly mowing.
Free edge spraying. Free quotes.
Phone Mike or Deb 866 4678 or
027 320 1703.
DAVE’S DRAINAGE
Drainlaying
Public & Private
1.8 Ton Digger Hire
30 Years Experience
Free Quotes or Advice
Call Dave
027 727 0348
davesdrainage@xtra.co.nz
THE BESS HANDZ
EMBROIDERED MONOGRAMS
Alterations, repairs, zip and hem service.
Phone 866 5277.
Tricky Trees
•
•
•
•
Pruning
Felling
Stump grinding
Firewood
Call Chris
•
•
•
•
Hedge maintenance
Crown reductions
Difficult removals
Chip waste to mulch
021 240 9909
Page 33
FOR SALE
HOME BREW SUPPLIES
Join our discount club.
Mercury Bay Pharmacy
ACCOMMODATION WANTED
KENT WOODFIRE AND FLUE
30 years old but works well - $120.
SLATE AND RIMU INSULATED ASH
PROTECTOR FOR WOODFIRE
Excellent condition - $120.
Phone 866 2204 evenings.
QUAD BIKE, Kawasaki 300 automatic
workhorse 1992, $2,200.
Ph: 027 223 8855
CATTERIES
KRISTIN’S
BOARDING CATTERY
Vet nurse, warm, clean,
secure, outdoor run.
Phone 866 4724.
SURPLUS FURNITURE
2 x Wine Barrels
Rimu Tea Trolley
Kauri TV/Stereo Unit
3 Wooden Bar Stools
Natuzzi Leather Recliners
Javanese Storage Cabinet
Rimu Free Standing Mirror
Lounge Suite - John Young 3-Piece
Cane 4 Seat Table and Chairs
Bentwood Chair and Side Table
Rimu Roll Top Desk with Drawers
Cane 3-Piece Lounge Suite
and Coffee Table
Phone 07 866 0256 or 021 846655 or
021 681 742 for details,
viewing and prices.
All good order.
CHURCH SERVICES
CHILDCARE SERVICE
MATURE PROFESSIONAL
WORKING WOMAN AND RETIRED
PARTNER RELOCATING HOME
Seek furnished or semi-furnished
accommodation.
Excellent references,
non smokers, long term.
Need accom for 11/12th of August
or earlier if required.
Currently out of NZ, so email only
peg.veen@gmail.com.
GARAGE SALE
3 - 4 BEDROOM HOUSE, 2 bathrooms,
up to $400 p/w. Ph: (021) 081 38721or
(021) 081 65963
READINGS
SATURDAY 16 JULY, 88 Tarapatiki
Drive, Whitianga, starting at 8:00am.
Baby stuff, men’s and ladies clothing,
ornaments, household, toys, kids stuff
and more.
WANTED TO BUY
HOUSE WANTED TO BUY
2 - 3 bedroom in Whitianga, 1/2 site OK,
cash buyer mid $300s,
quick settlement.
Phone 027 283 1220.
PSYCHIC READINGS
SPIRITUAL HEALING
Text Verna 027 320 0079
vernacarrspiritualhealing.com
TO LET
LARGE 5 BEDROOM HOUSE
Cook Drive, Whitianga.
Seaviews, $500 per week.
Phone Rose (07) 825 4921 or
(027) 406 3430.
OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE
Several sizes available in
Central Whitianga. Including all outgoings.
Phone 027 477 0132.
STORAGE SHEDS Whitianga Total Storage opposite Carters. Ph: 0800 944 660
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & HOMES FOR RENT
ANGLICAN
SERVICES
“Our expertise in property management will ensure your
investment property is well looked after. You can just sit
back and relax. We also offer a selection of quality
rental homes for tenants.”
We welcome your enquiry at 7 The Esplanade (by the wharf).
COURIER SERVICE
Robyn Turner 866 0098 or 027 550 0120
robyn.turner@bayleys.co.nz
St. Peter the Fisherman
Dundas Street, Whitianga
Sunday Service: 9:30am
Licensed under the REAA2008
ALL WELCOME
FIRST AID COURSES
Enquiries Ph 869 5577
www.anglicanchurchwhitianga.co.nz
NZQA FIRST AID COURSES, available
now. Ph: Tracey (021) 462 554.
HEALTH SERVICES
PENINSULA MIDWIVES
Jocelyn Yates
027 9124104
Fiona Kington
021 743 717 or 07 866 0413
Free Pregnancy Tests.
THE MUSCLE THERAPIST
HAS COME TO WHITI.
Get those aches and pains treated
through non-invasive
Positional Release Therapy.
Intro offer $20 for half hour treatment.
Phone 866 2970 or
(027) 223 3788.
VEHICLES FOR SALE
HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION
HOLIDAY/SHORT TERM
ACCOMMODATION
Prime location in Whitianga.
Close to beach and shops.
Phone Rob on (0274) 926 773.
TOY LIBRARY
WHITIANGA TOY LIBRARY
Isabella Street (off Coghill St)
Open Wednesday 2:30pm - 4:00pm
and Friday 10:00am - 11:30am.
New members welcome.
~Toys for Hire~
Page 34
ST ANDREWS
BY THE SEA
Community Church
Albert Street, Whitianga
NEW SERVICE TIME
10:00am EVERY SUNDAY
Come, join the
family of God!
Enquiries 869 5452
www.standrewsbythesea.org.nz
08 Toyota Hilux D/Cab, 3.0TD, hard lid, tow bar, alloys $18,900
08 Toyota Corolla H/B, auto, 1.8lt, white, alloys $9,900
08 Hyundai Getz H/B, auto, white, 1.4lt, dbl airbags $5,900
05 Mazda Axela H/B, auto, 2.0lt, blue, alloys, spoiler $6,900
04 Toyota Previa, 2.4, towbar, 7 seater $9,990
00 Toyota Funcargo, 1.3lt, auto, 5dr $2,900
96 Toyota Hilux Surf SSRX, 3.0D, towbar, monsoons $10,900
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
A home quarter final for
Senior A team
Sport Results
(Continued from page 32)
2 Philip Shewell and Doreen Harris 58.13, 3 Bev Dickie
and Peter Hogg 55.68.
MERCURY BAY SENIOR RUGBY
Saturday 9 July
Senior B - Mercury Bay 13 v Waihou 10.
MERCURY BAY SECONDARY SCHOOLS RUGBY
Saturday 9 July
4th Grade - The Bay boys and a side line full of supporters
took the longest trip of their season to Te Aroha on a
clearing morning after a wet few days.
Starting with a brisk wind behind them, Te Aroha converted
two easy penalties from in front of the posts, the Bay being
penalised at the breakdown, which they needed to learn
from. With some solid, hard running from the whole team,
Mercury Bay scored the first try of the game, only for Te
Aroha to reply quickly. Not to be outdone, the boys got
their grove on and scored another great try to close out the
very even half with Te Aroha leading 13 - 12.
With the wind behind them, Mercury Bay finally took
the lead early in the second half with a smart try and
continued to boss the game, only for their hands to let
them down at crucial times and to also let Te Aroha off the
hook with silly penalties. Te Aroha grabbed the momentum
and scored the next two tries. The Bay boys camped on
the Te Aroha line, trying to get some bonus points out of
the game. But good defence, bad handling by the Bay and
a few more penalties allowed Te Aroha to close out the
game and win 25 - 17.
With a couple of weeks off during the school holidays,
the team’s next game against Hauraki becomes crucial for
Mercury Bay trying to make the semi-finals.
3,2,1 Points - 1 Aaron Johansen and Cayden Munns,
2 Harry Evans, 3 and Player of the Day Caleb Hogarth,
Crunchie Tackle of the Day - Kahn Hibbert-Simpson,
Tries - Seth Clayton (2) and Caleb Hogarth, Conversion Luke Caddy.
Development Team - Our last game of the round robin
tournament was against top of the table team Thames
High School at the Mercury Bay Multisport Park.
The game started with the Bay team on the back foot.
Thames was on their try line within the first couple of
minutes and scored. Mercury Bay had to wake up and get
in the game as Thames is too good to have the points
given to them. The Bay boys played most of the game in
the Thames half, but the Thames defence was too strong
and Mercury Bay could not get through.
Thames crossed the line for two quick tries before
Mercury Bay decided to come back and show they are
Issue 697 - 13 July 2016
a competitive side. The Bay forwards were once again
making good ground, but were losing the loose ball at
the breakdown. Thames was very quick to get to the
breakdowns and clean out the ball.
Mercury Bay’s lock Blake Dowd managed to score our
first try of the day, which was converted by Joe Reynolds.
The Bay team was fighting hard to come back at
Thames and showed some great ball handling skills and
determination to hold on to the ball when Tangaroa Lewis
stretched out to place the ball over the Thames line for our
second try, which was also converted. The half time score
was 24 -14 to Thames.
The second half of the game was much more even with
both teams playing a tough game of rugby, the all-round
skill of both teams made it an exciting game to watch.
Mercury Bay scored first in the second half with an
intercept by Joe Reynolds to bring the score within three
points. Tensions were starting to build, but the players
continued to play hard. Thames managed to cross our try
line twice in the second half and Mercury Bay once more.
The final score was 36 - 26 to Thames.
Players of the Day were Tangaroa Lewis and Luke
Anderton.
MBAS First XV - The team had a home game this week
against Thames High School. The game was played at the
Mercury Bay Multisport Park and the ground conditions
were ideal for a fast, running game.
So, Thames proceeded to do just that, their speed and
ball retention was just too good and even though the Bay
defended valiantly, they still found themselves down 36-0
at half time .
The second half the Bay boys managed to slow down the
rising scoreboard and got a consolation try for themselves.
The final score was 60 - 7 to Thames. Mercury Bay’s
try was scored by Jayden Tegg and converted by
Cameron Richards.
MERCURY BAY JUNIOR RUGBY
Saturday 9 July
Rippers - The Rippers played a great game. Their skills
have developed well over the season. They only have
a couple games left after the school holidays - all are
welcome to come down and watch.
The following players received recognition awards Players of the Day were Olivia Monrad and Levi Hill,
Try of the Day to Grace Edwards, Rip of the Day to
Rohan Percival and the achievement award went to
Reef Havard.
Game report by team coach Dwayne Mansell
On Saturday last week the Mercury Bay Senior A team played at home against Hauraki North, needing
a win to get a home quarter final. A loss could possibly have knocked them out of the playoffs.
The boys played the first half into the wind. They started strong and were hard on attack.
However, the ball popped unexpectedly out of a ruck and North came away with a 70m runaway try.
Against the run of play, the Bay was down0 - 5.
The boys got straight away into the game again and were able to go into the halftime break with two
tries to Jarrod Hill and Harley Hanning and Shaun Perry landing both conversions. The score 14 - 5
to Mercury Bay.
Playing with the wind in the second half, the Bay boys played good territory and were able to dot
down two more times to Geoff O'Brian and Eden McLean to go out to a 24 - 5 lead.
North came back in the last 10 minutes with two tries to end the game 24 - 17 to Mercury Bay.
The Players of the Day were - 3 Points Harry Finnerty, 2 Points Geoff O'Brien and 1 Point Shaun Perry.
The team plays this Saturday (16 July) at home against Hauraki North (again) in the first of the
knock-out games of the Thames Valley Rugby Union competition for the McClinchy Cup. Kick-off is at
2:00pm at Lyon Park in Whitianga.
The team will appreciate all the support they can get and ask their supporters to wear their club
colours of black and yellow.
Pictured is Eden McLean scoring his try against Hauraki North last Saturday. Photo by Marie Relph.
Page 35
H O U S E WA S H I N G
Call Drew for a free quote
The Expert with the time tested and guaranteed method of removing mould,
lichen, moss and stains. In fact any exterior surface that needs a clean, Drew can
deal to with a harmless but totally effective wash. And remember a pre-paint wash
will extend the life of your paint job and make painting easier.
Buildings. Boats. Fences. Wood. Concrete. Metal.
Call Drew Edwards - The Chemwash Man
Mobile: 0274 375 578 a/h 07 867 8493
0800 CAR DUMP
GOT a DEAD or ALIVE VEHICLE
$ $ $
cash
paid
Pickup
Peninsula
wide
0800 227 3867
Second Hand Tyres, Mags, Lights, Radio’s
& parts FOR SALE

Issue 697 - The Mercury Bay Informer

Transcription

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